Flowers are usually associated with butterflies, but not the Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia grandiflora). This deciduous vine, native to Brazil, has large flowers that emit an odor of decaying flesh, which attracts flies and beetles. The insects then have to navigate the twists and turns of the flowers throat, which is covered with hairs that trap the insects inside. It is only when an insect removes the pollen sack that the hairs collapse, releasing the insect which will likely be fooled by another pelican flower into pollinating it.
Related posts:
These newly discovered pelican spiders will make you want to visit Madagascar
Beetle and pollen trapped in 105 million-year-old amber reveal fourth major pollination mode in mid-Mesozoic
Caught on camera: Despite hard shells pollen sticks to South African beetles
First ever record of insect pollination captured in 100 million-year-old amber
