Study of Pollination Ecology of Selected Orchids of Kanglung, Trashigang

The study on pollination ecology on some of the selective orchids in Kanglung focuses on the pollinators of orchids, pollination mechanism and behavioural studies of the pollinators. The study was conducted based on direct and indirect method of observation. Pollinators visiting the orchids or carrying pollen were recorded and collected from the study area. A total of 11 orchids species belong to 7 genera and 6 pollinators belong to 3 orders were observed during the study period. Ctenoplectra cornuta, Bombus trifasciatus, Apis cerena, Sphinx moth, ctenoiid beetle and Parapolybia varia were identified as potential pollinators of the orchids. Food deception was the common mechanism used by orchids to attract pollinator but oil and sweet exudate were also produced by orchids to attract the pollinators. Pollination success in orchid was found to be influenced by behaviour of the pollinators and frequency of the visit was influenced by the environmental condition. This study will contribute to the pollination studies of orchids, conservation and maintenance of orchid diversity.