Saturday, April 24, 2010

Creeping Zinnia - UV pattern when "bee ready"?

I noticed that on a Creeping Zinnia young flowers (in front) do not show a prominent UV pattern, but others do (the one in the back), which are ready for pollination. 

[click on image to see a larger one]

Visible light image 


Simulated butterfly vision (UV=blue) 


I wonder if that UV pattern would disappear when pollination has successfully happened? I guess that would be worth some scientific study (or maybe I should do it?)... 

Stay tuned, more will follow on that fascinating subject...

More info on this very interesting field may be found on my site http://www.pbase.com/kds315/uv_photos