Moth Pollinated longifolia ()

Item Type Article

Authors Austin, Daniel F.

Publisher University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ)

Journal Desert

Rights Copyright © Arizona Board of Regents. The University of Arizona.

Download date 25/09/2021 10:40:51

Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/609070 Austin Ipomaea longifolia 15

Linsley et al. (1956), Butler (1967) and Lazier and Moth Pollinated Linsley (1974) reported that Ipomoea longifolia had matinal flowering and was pollinated by the oligolec- Ipomoea longifolia tic Ptilothrix sumichrasti (Cresson). They also reported visits to the blossoms by Melitoma segmen- (Convolvulaceae) taria (Fabricius) [= Melitoma euglossoides Lepeltier and Serville]. On the basis of these publications, Austin (1978) concluded that this was similar to the allied (L.) Daniel F. Austin Meyer and Torrey. During July of 1984 I examined Ipomoea longifolia Florida Atlantic University in Arizona and I. leptophylla in the southern Great Plains. Study of these two species in several locations confirmed the bee pollination of Ipomoea lep- tophylla in the Great Plains as previously recorded by Linsley (1960). The field study did not, however, confirm the bee pollination of Ipomoea longifolia. Plants of Ipomoea longifolia were studied in southwestern Cochise County, Arizona, near the en- trance to the Coronado National Monument. An examination of flower structure and an evening visit indicated that the flowers of this morning glory were nocturnal. This made it apparent that bee pollination was unlikely. Flowers were then checked at dawn on 19 July for pollen and moth scales were found (Table I). Moreover, the flowers were almost completely closed by shortly after 6:00 a.m. and the pollen was gone from most anthers. Three other species of white flowered plants potentially pollinated by moths were in the immediate vicinity of the Ipomoea. Those plants were Oenothera, Argemone, Datura mete - loides. From these data it must be concluded that the previous reports of bee pollination of Ipomoea bon- gifolia were in error. The morning glory species actu- ally visited and reported by previous authors remains unknown because vouchers were not made. It is now concluded that Ipomoea longifolia is a nocturnal moth flower and not a matinal flower with oligolectic Anthophorid bee relationships as are the close rela- tives Ipomoea pandurata and I. leptophylla. - Daniel F. Austin, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431.

Table 1. Study of Ipomoea longifolia flowers in Cochise Co.,

Arizona. The figures with a plus sign ( + ) showed either moth scales

or pollen as indicated. The figures with a minus sign ( -) lacked scales or pollen. There was a mile between each site.

Sites Scales Pollen gone Pollen present

Site 1 3+ 3- 0 Site 2 3+ 3- 0 Site 3 6 +, 3- 6- 3+ 16 Desert Plants 8(1) 1986

References Arizona and New Mexico. Amer. Mus. Novit. 2546: 1 -20. Austin, D. F. 1978. Morning glory and the Ipomoea pandurata Linsley, E. G. 1960. Observations on some matinal bees at flowers complex (Hymenoptera: Anthophoridae). Proc. Entomol. Soc. of Cucurbita, Ipomoea and Datura in desert areas of New Wash. 80(3): 397 -402. Mexico and southeastern Arizona. jour. N.Y. Entotnol. Soc. 68: Butler, G. D., Jr. 1967. Biological observations on Ptilothrix 13 -20. sumichrasti (Cresson) in southern Arizona. Pan -Pac. Entomol. Linsley, E. G., J. W. MacSwain and R. F. Smith. 1956. Biological 45: 8 -14. observations on Ptilothrix sumichrasti (Cresson) and related Cazier, M. A. and E. G. Linsley. 1974. Foraging behavior of some groups of Emphorine bees. Bull. South. Calif. Acad. Sci. 55: bees and wasps at Kalstroemia grandiflora flowers in southern 83 -101.

Side view of Ipomoea leptophylla, a matinal bee -flower Side view of Ipomoea longifolia, a nocturnal moth -flower from the Great Plains. from Cochise Co., Arizona.

Flower of Ipomoea leptophylla being visited and Flower of Ipomoea longifolia with the exserted stamens pollinated by the Anthophorid bee Melitoma grisella and stigmas. The scales of Sphingid moths are on the (Cockerell and Porter). stigmas (not visible at this scale).