UV reflectance spectra of orchid petal and pollinator-guide

This shows the UV reflectance of the tip of the column in the orchid Phalaenopsis aphrodite (blue line) compared with that of the front face of one of the two white petals (orange line).

The difference of these spectra (red line), normalised at 450nm, represents the reflectance of the UV-reflective region covering the entrance to the pollinia. The sensitivity of the blue photoreceptor in the bee extends from about 300 – 400nm which encompasses the bulk of the reflectance curve. This means that the insect will see this marker as an almost pure UV signal.

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