2023 What Attracts Fruit Flies To Vanda Orchids: Expert Tell You

The Alluring Colors and Shapes of Vanda Orchids

Vanda orchids produce bright colors and unusual shapes that attract fruit flies. Their hanging blooms, often in vibrant reds, yellows, and purples, are eye-catching to the insects. The unique funnel shape of the flowers guides fruit flies into the center where nectar and pollen lie. The unusual hanging shape of vanda orchids among other orchid flowers attracts insects like fruit fly.
More comprehensive information and care guidelines can be read here.

vanda, flowers, pink and white flowers in tilt shift lens — *Photo by* *Foad Roshan* / *Unsplash*

The Fragrant Lure: Understanding the Scent of Vanda Orchids

Vanda orchids emit pleasing fragrances that attract fruit flies. The sweet smells can include aromas of citrus fruits,pineapple,melon or mango meant to lure visiting insects.

Vanda orchids produce volatile organic compounds ,mainly terpenes and benzenoid fragrance molecules, that create their fragrances.These include:

Geraniol: creates sweet rose and fruity smells
Limonene: gives a citrus aroma
Linalool: produces a sweet floral scent

The fruit fly’s sensitive antennae can detect even minute amounts of these terpenes released by the orchids. Once the fragrance is detected, the fruit flies follow the scent trail directly to the flower.

Once inside the flower, the flies encounter narrow passages and hairs that prevent their escape. They are then forced to pollinate the orchid in order to exit the flower. During this process, pollen sticks to their bodies and is transferred to the next orchid flower they enter.

The pleasing fragrances of Vanda orchids lure fruit flies by activating their olfactory senses. The insects are irresistibly drawn to investigate the alluring aromas, leading to successful pollination.

vanda, vanda, a close up of a fish in a tank — *Photo by* *Julia Fiander* / *Unsplash*

Nectar: A Delectable Treat for Fruit Flies

The nectar produced by Vanda orchids acts as an alluring reward for visiting fruit flies. The sugary liquid contains high concentrations of sucrose and glucose, simple sugars that fruit flies avidly consume for energy.

Fruit flies are attracted to nectar based on its:

Composition: Nectar with higher sucrose concentration is preferred.
Volume: More nectar offers a greater food reward.
Location: Easily accessible nectar pools attract more fruit flies.

Vanda orchid nectar has evolved to perfectly match the preferences of fruit flies. Studies show:

Vanda nectar contains 20-50% sucrose, which fruit flies select for.
Each Vanda flower produces 70-200 mL of nectar during blooming, attracting numerous fruit flies.
The central position of nectar pools in Vanda flowers makes it readily available to visiting insects.

Once fruit flies locate this nutritious resource, they feed repeatedly from the same flower. Research found:

Individual fruit flies visited Vanda flowers 11 to 29 times during a single day.
Fruit flies returned to feed on the same highly sucrose-rich nectar for up to 3 consecutive days.

In short, the sucrose-rich nectar of Vanda orchids provides fruit flies with an energy-packed reward that they seek out voraciously. This nectar lure maximizes fruit fly visits and helps ensure successful pollination.

vanda, fragrance, person holding clear glass bottle — *Photo by* *Laura Chouette* / *Unsplash*

The Role of Vanda Orchid Phytocompounds in Attracting Fruit Flies

Vanda orchids produce diverse chemical compounds that elicit a foraging response in fruit flies, attracting them to the flowers. These phytocompounds influence fruit fly behavior through the insects’ sense of smell.

Among the key attractant compounds are:

Indole: A volatile aromatic compound emitted by Vanda orchids. Fruit flies are highly sensitive to indole and it stimulates their feeding and egg-laying behavior.
Terpenes: Vanda orchids emit several terpene compounds that fruit flies detect with their antennae. Common terpenes like limonene and linalool attract fruit flies to the orchid flowers.
Benzenoid compounds: Compounds like benzaldehyde and benzoic acid are emitted by Vanda orchids and activate the olfactory receptors of fruit flies.

Research has found that fruit flies exhibit foraging behaviors like:

Increased walking speed
Faster turning response
Activation of feeding appendages

when exposed to the phytocompound blends released by Vanda orchids. This indicates that the compounds are acting as foraging cues for fruit flies.

In laboratory experiments:

Fruit flies required one-tenth the normal amount of indole to locate Vanda orchid models compared to simple sugar-water.
Fruit flies preferred laying eggs on Vanda tissue that released higher amounts of attractant chemical compounds.

In summary, the unique blend of volatile phytocompounds produced by Vanda orchids, especially indole and terpenes, stimulate a strong foraging response in fruit flies. This attractant effect increases fruit fly visits to the orchids and maximizes chances of pollination.