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Jakubska A, Przado D, Steininger M, Aniol-Kwiatkowska A, Kadej M.
“Why do pollinators become 'sluggish'? Nectar chemical constituents from Epipactis helleborine L. Crantz Orchidaceae”.
APPLIED ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH. 2005;3(2):29-38.
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Abstract
Eight populations of Epipactis helleborine L. Crantz originating from the area of Lower Silesia in Poland Central Europe were examined in respect to composition of their nectar and its influence on the insect attraction in field conditions. The chemical composition of Epipactis helleborine L. Crantz nectar was studied by means of GC/MS SIM. A number of compounds with potential narcotic properties were identified in the nectar, namely 3-{2-{3-{3-benzyloxypropyl}-3-indol, 7,8-didehydro- 4,5-epoxy-3,6-d-morphinan and oxycodone. Pollinator and visitor insects were identified. The key role of ethanol in the process of alluring and stunning of the insects was discussed. A scheme of the influence of the identified compounds on the pollinators was proposed.
Eight populations of Epipactis helleborine L. Crantz originating from the area of Lower Silesia in Poland Central Europe were examined in respect to composition of their nectar and its influence on the insect attraction in field conditions. The chemical composition of Epipactis helleborine L. Crantz nectar was studied by means of GC/MS SIM. A number of compounds with potential narcotic properties were identified in the nectar, namely 3-{2-{3-{3-benzyloxypropyl}-3-indol, 7,8-didehydro- 4,5-epoxy-3,6-d-morphinan and oxycodone. Pollinator and visitor insects were identified. The key role of ethanol in the process of alluring and stunning of the insects was discussed. A scheme of the influence of the identified compounds on the pollinators was proposed.
Why do orchids produce 'drunken'insects? Helleborine grow in various phytocoenoses. The majority of species grow in deciduous and mixed forests, but in Poland they may be seen on dunes, peat bogs and meadows, as well upon highly anthropogenic conditions, such as roadsides, cemeteries and municipal parks [10, 25, 49]. Such a diversity of habitats results in the diversity and size of the insect species visiting the plants.
Production of narcotic compounds such as 3-{2-{3-{3-benzyloxypropyl}-3-indol, 7,8-didehydro-4,5-epoxy-3,6-D-morphinan and oxycodone is one of the attempts to attract potential pollinators. The presence of oxycodone, which was reported to be a semisynthetic morphinan [41, 51], is of special interest here. These substances make the insects, which drink the nectar to become 'sluggish', what prolongs the time, which they spent on the inflorescence and therefore increases chance of pollinating larger Jakubska et al.: Why do pollinators become 'sluggish'? number of flowers. Such a strategy is very effective if taking into consideration the fact, that Epipactis helleborine flowers are not morphologically attractive to insects and that attendance of potential pollinator is dependent on habitat.
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