| Ophrys insectifera | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Genus: | Ophrys |
| Species: | O. insectifera |
| Binomial name | |
| Ophrys insectifera | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Ophrys insectifera, thefly orchid, is a species oforchid and thetype species of the genusOphrys. It is remarkable as an example of the use of sexually deceptive pollination and floral mimicry, as well as a highly selective and highly evolved plant–pollinator relationship.[3]
Ophrys insectifera is a tuberous perennial, reaching 60 cm (2 ft) in height, which flowers across its range from May to July.[4] It is a slender plant, with narrow upright leaves. A flower spike may carry 1–10 flowers, which have yellow-green sepals, very reduced, dark brown/black petals resembling the antennae of an insect and a long, narrow, lobed labellum, which is dark in color, varying from maroon to black and on which there are two glossy depressions known as 'pseudo-eyes' as well as an iridescent blue/grey patch evolved to resemble an insect's glistening wings.[4] There is a rare yellow-flowered form ofO. insectifera.[5]Chromosomes 2n=36
The genus name "Ophrys" derives from theGreek word "ophrys", meaning eyebrow, while theLatin epithet "insectifera" means insect-bearing or insect-carrying, referring to the unusual appearance of the flowers.[6]
It is native toEurope, growing further north than most other species in the genusOphrys, in Scandinavia, Finland and the Baltic states, and as far south as Greece and Spain.[2][7] In the UK it is a rare species, with a southern distribution.[5]
The plant favours sites with damp,alkaline, unimproved soil. It can be found growing inbeech woodlands, on forest edges, in scrub, on limestone pavement, limestonegrassland, in chalk pits andwet meadows, on cliffs as well as on disused railways.[4][8]
The name arises because itsinflorescence resembles afly, although it relies onHymenoptera for pollination. In the UKO. insectifera is pollinated by just two species ofdigger wasp:Argogorytes mystaceus andArgogorytes fargeii.[4] The orchid uses scent to attract male wasps whichpollinate the flowers as they attempt to mate with them. Thescent released by the flowersmimic female sexualpheromones.[9]
Both of the wasp species which pollinate fly orchids in the UK feed onUmbellifer flowers as adults and onfroghopper nymphs as larvae.[10][11]A. mystaceus reproduces in woodland glades, whileA. fargeii reproduces in open, sparsely-vegetated habitats.[12]
Like most orchids,Ophrys insectifera depends upon a relationship with amycorrhizal fungus in the soil around its roots. In experiments it has been found to grow in association with fungi in theTulasnellaceae family.[13] Due to the importance of this mycorrhizal partnership,orchids are particularly vulnerable tofungicide, but also other chemicals which could impact the growth of soil fungi or cause different fungi/bacteria species to dominate the soil they grow in.[14]
Worldwide, this species is considered 'least concern',[1] however in Great Britain its conservation status is 'vulnerable'.[15][16]
This species is mainly threatened byhabitat destruction, which takes several forms: drainage of fens, coniferization of woodland and decline in coppicing of woodland. As it has a very specialized relationship with its pollinators it is also theorized to be particularlyvulnerable to climate change.[4]
Media related toOphrys insectifera at Wikimedia Commons| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
