Floral morphology and Potential Pollinator of Vanilla siamensis Rolfe ex Downie (Orchidaceae: Vanilloideae) in Thailand

Vinan Vince Chaipanich; Phenphichar Wanachantararak; Sasitorn Hasin

Authors

Vinan Vince Chaipanich Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kent, Kent, United Kingdom
Phenphichar Wanachantararak Research Center, Faculty of Dentistry, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; Innovation of Environmental Management, College of Innovative Management, Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University Under the Royal Patronage, Pathum Thani, 13180, Thailand
Sasitorn Hasin Innovation of Environmental Management, College of Innovative Management, Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University Under the Royal Patronage, Pathum Thani, 13180, Thailand

Keywords:

vanilla fruit, vanilla flower, insect pollinator, stingless bee, bee species

Abstract

The orchid genus Vanilla has a pantropical distribution. It includes notable species, particularly Vanilla planifolia and V. pompona from the tropical Americas, and the first commercial hybrid V. tahitensis. Both species are used in various industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, tobacco, insect repellent, and traditional crafts. Less known is V. siamensis from Thailand. Here we investigate the flower morphology, fruit set, and natural pollinator of V. siamensis. Flower morphology and pollination experiments indicate that the species is pollinator-limited, thus undergoing pollination via deception. During observations of visiting insects, eight insect groups were collected (Blattodea, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Mantodea, and Orthoptera), representing twenty-eight insect morpho-species. The most frequent visiting group was the Hymenoptera, which accounted for the largest value of frequency of occurrence with 80% of the total visitations. The main visitor, Thrinchostoma sp. 2 is most likely the pollinator as observed at Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary in the eastern region of Thailand. This species was observed entering a flower carrying Vanilla-like pollen before exiting with the pollen having been removed. It is therefore suggested that pollination of V. siamensis is by the Thrinchostoma bees, under natural conditions; however, visitations are infrequent, resulting in pollinator-limitation when compared to hand pollination experiments.

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