UPSC Prelims 2012 · Question 91 of 98

UPSC Prelims 2012 question on Pollinating Agents

Consider the following kinds of organisms:

1. Bat

2. Bee

3. Bird

Which of the above is/are pollinating agent/agents?

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3
Show answer

Answer: D. 1, 2 and 3

Verdict

Correct Answer: 1, 2 and 3

All three — bat, bee and bird — are pollinating agents. So, the correct answer is 1, 2 and 3.

Analysis

Bats, bees and birds are all pollinating agents. Pollination means transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma, and it can be done by living agents like insects, birds and bats.

1. Bat — Correct

Bats act as pollinators, especially for night-blooming flowers.

This type of pollination is called chiropteriphily.

Bat-pollinated flowers are usually large, pale-coloured, strong-smelling and rich in nectar.

Examples include agave, banana and some tropical plants.

2. Bee — Correct

Bees are among the most important pollinating agents.

This comes under entomophily, i.e. pollination by insects.

Bees are attracted to bright-coloured, sweet-smelling flowers and collect nectar, while pollen sticks to their body and gets transferred to other flowers.

3. Bird — Correct

Birds also act as pollinators.

This type of pollination is called ornithophily.

Birds like hummingbirds, sunbirds and honeyeaters pollinate flowers while feeding on nectar.

Bird-pollinated flowers are often bright-coloured, tubular and nectar-rich.

Extra UPSC info

* Pollination by insects is called entomophily.
* Pollination by birds is called ornithophily.
* Pollination by bats is called chiropteriphily.
* Pollination by wind is called anemophily.
* Pollination by water is called hydrophily.
* Biotic pollinating agents include insects, birds, bats and other animals.
* Abiotic pollinating agents include wind and water.

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