First Record of the Spurge Hawkmoth as a Pollen Vector for the Western Prairie Fringed Orchid [Notes]

Authors

Carla R. Jordan, North Dakota State University-Fargo
Gerald M. Fauske, North Dakota State University-FargoFollow
Mrion O. Harris, North Dakota State University-Fargo
Darla Lenz, United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Bismarck, North Dakota

Date of this Version

3-2006

Document Type

Article

Citation

The Prairie Naturalist (March 2006) 38(1): 57-62

Notes section

Comments

United States government work

Abstract

Identification of pollen vectors is one step in refining management plans for a threatened plant such as the western prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera praeclara Sheviak and Bowles). Pollen vector bionomics, phenology, and ethology must be understood to assess this moth and other potential pollinators relative to orchid reproductive success. Also, the ability of spurge hawkmoth (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae), a recently introduced species, to act as a pollen vector for an obligate prairie plant, the western prairie fringed orchid, in theoretical terms, provides evidence which contradicts long held tenets of one-to-one correspondence between orchids and their pollinators. Further research might shed light on pathways or models of pollinator recruitment.