2023

TQ2351 : Fly Orchid (Ophrys insectifera)

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

Fly Orchid (Ophrys insectifera)
Fly Orchid (Ophrys insectifera)
An individual flower of the Fly Orchid (Ophrys insectifera) in TQ2351 : Fly Orchid (Ophrys insectifera) and 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 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. Note the aphids on the flower and the stalk behind.

Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright Ian Capper and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Geographical Context: Wild Animals, Plants and Mushrooms Near: Reigate Buckland Place: Juniper Hill Plant: Fly Orchid Ophrys Insectifera other tags: Aphid Click a tag, to view other nearby images.
This photo is linked from: Other Photos: · Fly Orchid (Ophrys insectifera) · Fly Orchid (Ophrys insectifera) Title Clusters: · Fly Orchid (Ophrys insectifera) [8] ·
1:50,000 Modern Day Landranger(TM) Map © Crown Copyright
+
+
1:50,000 Modern Day Landranger(TM) Map © Crown Copyright
TIP: Click the map for more Large scale mapping
Grid Square
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: 51:15.2260N 0:13.9044W
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! TQ 234 519
View Direction
Southeast (about 135 degrees)
Clickable map
+
NW N NE
W Go E
SW S SE
Image Type (about): close look 
This page has been viewed about 17 times
You are not logged in login | register