By land and by tree: Pollinator taxa diversity of terrestrial and epiphytic orchids

There are approximately 30,000 species in the family Orchidaceae, with some growing terrestrially and others as epiphytes. Though pollination biology of many these is not well known, there has been a diversity taxa recorded orchid pollinators. Insects, birds, even record mammal have documented successful pollinators, while orchids able to reproduce without use pollen vector. The goal this review provide an overview tactics, references more specific studies each, analyze large subset publications determine differences pollinator specificity between epiphytic terrestrial genera. This examines data from over 400 species, including 74 83 Two taxa, Coleoptera Hymenoptera (Class: Insecta), were found pollinate significantly than genera, other showed no significant differences. dominant regards overall number recorded; however, based on interaction webs that built, Lepidoptera Insecta) stronger interactions they pollinate, suggesting relationship two.