Chemical communication and evolutionary genetics in the Australien sexual deceptive orchid genus Chiloglottis

Orchids of the genus Chiloglottis are pollinated by sexual deception. They imitate the shape and - most significantly - the sex pheromone of their pollinator species, thynnine wasps. Only male insects, usually of one species, pollinate the flowers in an attempt to copulate with the flower. Within my project I investigate the behavior-mediating odor compounds of the orchids. Compounds will be identified that release mating behavior in the pollinator males. Comparisons with the sex pheromone of the pollinator insects will show if the orchids produce the same active compounds Additionally, I will test the hypthesis that the pollination mechanism of sexual deception promotes long distance pollen flow in the orchids. My research will highlight mechanisms of chemical communication in australian sexually deceptive orchids and investigate the selective advantages of this fascinating pollination mechanism.