Question

How does the floral pattern of Mediterranean orchid Ophrys guarantee cross-pollination?

Answer 1

Hint: Mediterranean orchid Ophrys is cross-pollinated with the help of bees. Bees by chance pollinate the Mediterranean orchid Ophrys because according to the bee, it was a process of copulation.

Complete answer:
The flower of the Mediterranean orchid Ophrys resembles totally the female structure of the bee. Bees misinterpret it as a female bee and perform a copulation process. This is known as pseudocopulation and in this way, the flower is pollinated. When the male wasp sees it gets attracted and proceeds to copulate it. When it copulates the pollen grain of various species falls on the flower with the male wasp thus the flower gets pollinated and cross-fertilization is completed.

Additional Information: Pollination is the process of transferring pollen grains from the male anther of a flower to the feminine stigma. The goal of each living organism, including plants, is to make offspring for the subsequent generation. One of the ways in which plants can produce offspring is by making seeds.
Pollination takes two forms: self-pollination and cross-pollination. Self-pollination occurs when the pollen from the anther is deposited on the stigma of an equivalent flower, or another flower on an equivalent plant. Cross-pollination is the transfer of pollen from the anther of 1 flower to the stigma of another flower on a special individual of an equivalent species. Self-pollination occurs in flowers where both parts i.e stamen and carpel mature at an equivalent time, and are positioned so that the pollen can land on the flower’s stigma. This method of pollination doesn't require an investment from the plant to supply nectar and pollen as food for pollinators.

Note: Pollination with the help of insects is called Entomophily. The two most common species of bees which help in pollination are bumblebees and honeybees. They visit flowers that are open during the day, are brightly colored, have a strong and lovely smell, and also have a tubular shape, typically with the presence of a nectar guide.