Pollination by insects is called Entomophily

Pollination is the process in which pollen grains are transferred from the male reproductive organs (anther) to the female reproductive organs (stigma) of a flower, leading to the fertilization and production of seeds. There are different modes of pollination, and one of them is entomophily, which involves the transfer of pollen by insects.

Explanation:

1. Entomophily:
Entomophily refers to the type of pollination that occurs with the help of insects. In this process, insects such as bees, butterflies, flies, beetles, and moths visit flowers in search of nectar or pollen. While they feed on the nectar, pollen grains get attached to their bodies. When the insects move from one flower to another, they inadvertently transfer the pollen grains to the stigma of the second flower, facilitating pollination.

2. Importance of Insects in Entomophily:
Insects play a crucial role in entomophily due to their unique characteristics and behaviors. They are attracted to flowers by their bright colors, fragrance, and nectar rewards. As insects move from flower to flower, they unintentionally pick up pollen grains and transfer them to other flowers, promoting cross-pollination.

3. Adaptations for Entomophily:
Flowers that rely on entomophily have specific adaptations to attract and facilitate pollination by insects. These adaptations include:

- Brightly colored petals: Many flowers have colorful petals that attract insects. Colors such as red, yellow, and blue are particularly attractive to bees and butterflies.

- Nectar-producing structures: Flowers produce nectar, a sugary liquid, to entice insects. Nectar serves as a reward for the insects' pollination services.

- Scent production: Some flowers emit strong fragrances to attract insects. The scent acts as a signal for the presence of nectar and guides insects towards the flower.

- Landing platforms and shapes: Flowers often have landing platforms or specific shapes that provide a convenient landing spot for insects. This allows easy access to nectar and pollen.

- Pollen sticking mechanisms: Insects can have pollen sticking to their bodies due to the presence of sticky pollen grains, specialized structures, or hairs on the insect's body. This ensures effective pollen transfer to other flowers.

4. Examples of Entomophilous Flowers:
Many flowering plants rely on entomophily for pollination. Examples of entomophilous flowers include:

- Sunflowers: These flowers have a large central disk filled with nectar, attracting bees and butterflies.

- Orchids: Orchids exhibit a wide variety of adaptations for insect pollination, including intricate shapes, attractive colors, and specialized pollinaria structures.

- Lilies: Lilies produce large, showy flowers that attract bees and butterflies with their bright colors and sweet fragrance.

- Roses: Roses have colorful petals and produce nectar to attract various insect pollinators.

- Peonies: Peonies have large, fragrant flowers that attract flies and beetles for pollination.

In conclusion, entomophily is the pollination mechanism that relies on insects for the transfer of pollen between flowers. Insects are attracted to flowers, collect pollen inadvertently, and carry it to other flowers, ensuring successful pollination and the continuation of plant reproduction.