New Zealand Journal of Botany abstracts
Pollination studies of four New Zealand terrestrial orchids and the
implication for their conservation
Carlos A. Lehnebach
Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution
Massey University
Private Bag 11 222
Palmerston North, New Zealand
c_lehnebach@hotmail.com
Alastair W. Robertson
Ecology Group
Institute of Natural Resources
Massey University
Private Bag 11 222
Palmerston North, New Zealand
Duncan Hedderley
Crop & Food Research
Private Bag 11 600
Palmerston North, New Zealand
Abstract The New Zealand orchid flora comprises 25
genera and over 100 species. Most of the species are terrestrial and
are found throughout the country. Terrestrial orchids are the most
threatened group within the family. We studied the pollination ecology
of four terrestrial orchids: Gastrodia cunninghamii, Thelymitra
longifolia, Pterostylis alobula, and P. patens.
Reproduction of these orchids relies on contrasting reproductive
strategies. Thelymitra longifolia is predominantly
self-pollinated, whereas both Pterostylis species are
cross-pollinated and have an absolute dependence on pollinators.
Hand-pollination treatments showed T. longifolia, P. alobula,
and P. patens to be self-compatible. Results for G.
cunninghamii were unclear and need further study. Insect flower
visitation is uncommon in these species and was observed only in G.
cunninghamii and P. alobula. Aphids were usually found
inside the flowers of G. cunninghamii, but the role they may
have as pollinators is undetermined. In P. alobula, male fungus
gnats of Zygomyia (Mycetophilidae: Diptera) were considered
pollinators. Hypotheses on the attraction system(s) used by these
greenhood orchids are discussed. These two species are more likely to
be affected by disruption of the plant-pollinator mutualism because of
the specialist nature of the plant-pollinator interaction.
Keywords conservation; disruption of mutualisms; Diplodium;
Gastrodia; Mycetophilidae; New Zealand; Orchidaceae;
pollination; Pterostylis; Thelymitra; terrestrial
orchids; sexual deception; shelter flowers
B04042; Received 21 October 2004; accepted 6 April 2005; Online
publication date 12 May 2005
New Zealand Journal of Botany, 2005, Vol. 43: 467–477
0028–825X/05/4302–0467 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2005
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