Ophrys ariadnae
Another wild orchid for my Wildflowers of Crete set.
I'm not sure about the exact species (I'm no expert), I thought it was Ophrys cretica, but Ralf Jahn told me it's actually Ophrys ariadnae, like this other one I've posted.
Captured at Gious Kambos (Γιους Κάμπος), near Spili, in Rethymno prefecture.
Best viewed Large, On Black.
Orchids of the genus Ophrys bear a semblance to bees, thus are commonly called bee orchids. This is part of their clever way of deceiving pollinators. This visual semblance is enhanced by producing the scent (pheromones) of a receptive female bee, thus attracting male bees, who proceed to pseudo-copulate with the flower, pollinating it in the process.
► Shameless self-promotion: I've posted my favorite spider macro to JPG Magazine, theme "Creatures". If you like that photo and have a few seconds to spare, you can VOTE for it (please!). It requires an account, but it's free to create one. It'll just take a few minutes more, but you'll be able to post photos to the themes, too, for a chance at publication. Thanks :-)
Ophrys ariadnae
Another wild orchid for my Wildflowers of Crete set.
I'm not sure about the exact species (I'm no expert), I thought it was Ophrys cretica, but Ralf Jahn told me it's actually Ophrys ariadnae, like this other one I've posted.
Captured at Gious Kambos (Γιους Κάμπος), near Spili, in Rethymno prefecture.
Best viewed Large, On Black.
Orchids of the genus Ophrys bear a semblance to bees, thus are commonly called bee orchids. This is part of their clever way of deceiving pollinators. This visual semblance is enhanced by producing the scent (pheromones) of a receptive female bee, thus attracting male bees, who proceed to pseudo-copulate with the flower, pollinating it in the process.
► Shameless self-promotion: I've posted my favorite spider macro to JPG Magazine, theme "Creatures". If you like that photo and have a few seconds to spare, you can VOTE for it (please!). It requires an account, but it's free to create one. It'll just take a few minutes more, but you'll be able to post photos to the themes, too, for a chance at publication. Thanks :-)