Fly orchid © Philip Precey
Fly orchid
Scientific name: Ophrys insectifera
The fly-shaped flowers of this fascinating plant are attractive to insects - but not the ones you might expect!
Species information
About
Fly orchids grow in chalk and limestone soils, from woodland glades and rides to open grassland. They can also be found in quarries, on roadside banks, and sometimes in fens. The flowers that grow from their tall, green spikes in late spring resemble flies.Despite the flowers looking like flies, they actually attract digger wasps. They release a scent which mimics a female wasp's pheremones, luring in males that attempt to mate with them. The male wasps get a dusting of pollen, which they carry on to the next flower that fools them, hopefully pollinating the plant.
How to identify
The fly orchid has a tall, green spike growing from shiny, oval leaves. The flowers are well spaced and resemble flies. They're dark reddish-brown, with a shiny silver-blue patch in the middle that looks like a pair of wings - they even seem to have tiny antennae!Distribution
Most widespread in southern England, with scattered populations in northern England and North Wales.Did you know?
The flowers attract two specific species of digger wasp: Argogorytes mystaceus and Argogorytes fargeii
Bertie Gregory/2020VISION