Ernie, Flower symmetry is effected by several interacting environmental and genetic facotrs. Creating a range from perfectly to bilaterally symmetrical flowers. Based on the environmental and genetic factors, symmetry or lack of can be attributed to developmental instability. Thus, how symmetrical a flower is may be a reliable cue of the flower's quality (eg if a flower exhibits a high level of symmetry, it may be true indicator of plant health and rewards/resources contained in the flower which are attracting insects).
It is hard to tell though, if insects have the capabilities to detect fine -scalled differences in symmetry, (in order to push the natural selection of symmetric flowers). Maybe someone knows more about insect visual resolution? As you probably know, symmetry (if that (I would assume it is)) is not the only factor which attracts insects to flowers...bees, off hand are attracted to color, odor, UV and size...Some will even discriminate between the ages of flowers by the succession of color phases over time. Interesting question...I'd like to know more Aaron Heit University of Wisconsin -- River Falls [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Many wildflowers are very beautiful, meaning that they have highly > developed > aesthetic values. Some of these traits, such as showy color, size, and > fragrance clearly give a flower great competitive advantage in attracting > pollinators. There are other aesthetic values-- composition and > symmetry-- for > which no competitive advantage is apparent. (To me, at least.) > > But, composition and symmetry (as artistic values) are highly developed > in > many wild flowers, and some of these are only pollinated by insects. > Should > we conclude from this that insects can "appreciate art," or is there some > other "scientific" explanation? Dare we allow a non-scientific > explanation? > > I understand that beauty and its recognition is a powerful selector in > man, > but I think I can confine the issue to just the flowers. > > Forgive me if ignorance has allowed me to bring up a question with an > easy > answer. > > Ernie Rogers
