Plants that are pollinated by butterflies commonly develop flowers with deeply hidden nectar that can easily be accessed by these insects’ long, tubelike mouthparts, increasing the likelihood of successful pollination. Hammer orchids, however, use a different strategy. These orchids facilitate pollination by deceiving their sole pollinator: thynnid wasps. The flower’s structure mimics the appearance of thynnid wasps. When a wasp attempts to interact with what appears to be another wasp, it triggers a hinged part of the flower that flips the insect upside down, positioning it for optimal pollen transfer.
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Verbal·Information and Ideas·Central Ideas and Details
mediumWhich choice best states the main idea of the text?
A
Hammer orchids have developed the ability to mimic the characteristics of thynnid wasps.
B
Unlike species pollinated by butterflies, hammer orchids use deception to improve their chances of being pollinated.
C
Hammer orchids have developed a much better strategy for attracting pollinators than have other flowering plants.
D
Attracting pollinators through deception is an effective strategy used by many types of flowering plants.