Aquatic Plant – Insect Interactions: A Study of Water Lily – Epollinator Systems

Abstract

Aquatic plants contribute significantly to the structure, function, and service delivery of aquatic ecosystems and fulfill a variety of ecological tasks. Numerous aquatic plant species are used or may be used for a variety of tasks, including water purification, soil improvement, building materials, fuel, and feed. Finding methods to regulate such flora by harvesting and using it is desirable because some of these plants can also be an annoyance to water transportation, fisheries, or water supply systems. There are about 100 species of water lilies in the Nymphaeales order, and they all develop into aquatic plants. In addition to being commercial crops, the majority of them have long been revered as cultural icons, particularly in Buddhism and Hinduism. In evolutionary biology, the water lily order plays crucial roles as an early angiosperm branch. The Nymphaeaceae are rhizomatous, aquatic, annual or perennial herbs. The family is further distinguished by the presence of latex, which typically has prominent, stellate-branched sclereids protruding into the air canals, and the dispersed vascular bundles in the stems. Simple hairs typically produce mucilage. This study proposes the water lily – epollinator systems.