Posted by John Carr on 11-10-2016 14:42
#5
Sundew wrote:
As flies do not collect pollen for their offspring, their legs or other body parts do not possess special adaptations. Their hairiness is an efficient tool in unintentional pollen transfer.
As much as anything in evolution can be said to have a purpose, I think the purpose of the long hairs on
Egle is to carry pollen. The flies are obligate associates of
Salix, and benefit from pollinating their hosts.