The hammer orchid (*Drakaea glyptodon*), native to Western Australia, employs a highly specialized pollination strategy known as sexual deception. The orchid's labellum (a modified petal) closely mimics the shape, color, and pheromones of a female thynnid wasp. Attracted by these cues, a male thynnid wasp attempts to fly away with the labellum to mate. This movement triggers a hinged structure that swings the wasp upward against the orchid's column, where the pollen is deposited on the wasp's back. Unlike other deceptive orchids that offer minor food rewards, *Drakaea glyptodon* provides no nutritional incentive whatsoever to its pollinators, relying entirely on the physical mimicry of the female wasp to ensure pollen transfer.
Based on the text, what is true about the pollination process of the hammer orchid (*Drakaea glyptodon*)?
- The physical effort of the male wasp trying to fly away with the flower's labellum causes a hinged mechanism to swing the wasp into contact with the orchid's pollen.Cevap
- BThe orchid relies on a combination of visual mimicry and minor nutritional rewards to ensure the wasp remains on the labellum long enough for pollen transfer.
- CFemale thynnid wasps are drawn to the orchid's labellum by pheromones and attempt to fly away with it.
- DThe hammer orchid's unique pollination strategy has allowed it to become the most widespread orchid species in Western Australia.