Abstract
Pollination of Dianthus superbus L. was studied in a subalpine population in the Swiss Alps (San Bernardino Pass, 1,700m) in 1987 and 1988. Pollinators of this well known and beautiful plant are reported here for the first time. The flowers were visited exclusively by migratory nocturnal hawkmoths ( Herse convolvuli L.) in 1987, but in 1988 native noctuid moths were the most frequent flower visitors. The deeply divided and brightly coloured petals, calyx length and the strong sweet scent produced in the evening and distinctly weaker during the daytime suggest that Dianthus superbus is adapted to crepuscular and nocturnal hawkmoths rather than to noctuid moths. It is not especially adapted to diurnal hawkmoths and clearly not pollinated by butterflies as stated so far in the literature. Nectar is sucrose dominant with moderate sugar and amino acid concentrations and corresponds well with the syndrome of hawkmoth pollination. The observations are discussed with respect to both the plant and its pollinators.
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