A: Q: How Can Ophrys Apifera (Bee Orchid) Plant Imitate Female Bees' Apperance?

in #stemq6 years ago (edited)

orchid-213171-640.jpg
Credit: Pixabay

My inexpert opinion would be that this is all due to evolution.

The random mutation of genes that occur across generations among all living things must have caused, at some stage in the distant past, one specimen of the orchid family to grow unusual flowers with a different shape than previous generations.

By chance, this mutation didn't hinder on the ability of the plant to reproduce.
Also by chance, these flowers happened to attract certain insects, such as bees, better than other flowers.

This would have caused this new species to be better pollinated than other plants.

As a result, the new orchid spread more than other plants and from then on thrived up to this day in regions where this particular type of bee lived.

In other words, a random mutation of the original plant resulted in good synergy between the new species of orchid and that particular bee.

Both species benefited and thrived as result.

StemQ Notice: This post was originally submitted on StemQ.io, a Q&A application for STEM subjects powered by the Steem blockchain.

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Yes I agree with that. Can you imagine how many mutations have been relised to reach that point. Btw, I also prepare a detailed answer post to this question.

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