2023

TQ2351 : Fly Orchid (Ophrys insectifera)

taken 10 months ago, near to Buckland, Surrey, England

Fly Orchid (Ophrys insectifera)
Fly Orchid (Ophrys insectifera)
The top of the flower spike of the Fly Orchid (Ophrys insectifera) in TQ2351 : Fly Orchid (Ophrys insectifera). Mainly found in scrub and woodland in the southern England chalk belt (as here, alongside a path on North Downs chalk), it also occurs elsewhere in lime-rich soils. The flowers (see TQ2351 : Fly Orchid (Ophrys insectifera) for a close up of an individual flower) have a strong insect resemblance, hence both the English and Latin names. In this case, the mimicry serves a purpose: a combination of its appearance and pheromones produced by the plant dupes male digger wasps of the genus Argogorytes into thinking that the flowers are females, and the resulting attempt at copulation results in the pollen being collected - if followed by a visit to another plant, this may result in pollination.

Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright Ian Capper and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
This photo is linked from: Other Photos: · Fly Orchid (Ophrys insectifera) · Fly Orchid (Ophrys insectifera) Title Clusters: · Fly Orchid (Ophrys insectifera) [8] ·
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TQ2351, 74 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
Ian Capper   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Thursday, 25 May, 2023   (more nearby)
Submitted
Sunday, 28 May, 2023
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! TQ 234 519 [100m precision]
WGS84: 51:15.1755N 0:13.9888W
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! TQ 234 519
View Direction
Southeast (about 135 degrees)
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Image Type (about): close look 
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