Floral Visitation, Pollen Removal, and Pollen Transport of Tacca cristata Jack (Dioscoreaceae) by Female Ceratopogonid Midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

Premise of research. Tacca is a monocot genus characterized by an unusual reproductive display, with plants possessing umbelliform inflorescences subtended by highly conspicuous leafy bracts and filiform bracteoles with colors ranging from dark maroon to white. Paradoxically, previous studies indicated very low levels of outcrossing in some showy Tacca species, implicating self-pollination as the primary reproductive strategy.Methodology. We describe visual observations and collections made of floral visitors to flowering individuals of Tacca cristata Jack in Singapore.Pivotal results. Female ceratopogonid midges were observed to visit the flowers at anthesis and were collected with pollen specifically placed on their dorsal thoracic region. A significant proportion of flowering plants was attacked by florivores.Conclusions. These findings suggest that at least some showy species of Tacca may be pollinated to some extent through insect visitation. The reproductive biology of Tacca, including inflorescence...