FLUORESCENT DYE PARTICLES ARE GOOD POLLEN ANALOGS FOR HUMMINGBIRD-POLLINATED SILENE VIRGINICA (CARYOPHYLLACEAE)

We tested the utility of fluorescent dye particles as pollen analogs f or hummingbird-pollinated Silene virginica (Caryophyllaceae) by compar ing the movement of pollen and fluorescent dye across sequentially vis ited emasculated flowers. We found no differences in either the interc ept or the slope of the regressions of the two particle types on flora l visitation sequence. In addition, the presence of fluorescent powder on the stigmas of a flower was a good indicator of pollen transferred to that flower. Both pollen and dye particles were transported almost identical distances in the flower sequence. These data indicate that fluorescent powder is a good pollen analog for S. virginica. We compar e our findings with previous studies examining the utility of fluoresc ent dye as a pollen analog.