Country diary: A tiny orchid with mighty powers of deception | Oliver Southall

The fly orchid (Ophrys insectifera) employs a sophisticated deception to attract its specific pollinator, the wasp, on Wolstonbury Hill in West Sussex. This orchid, which flowers from mid-May in the dappled light where chalk grassland meets woodland, is named for its insectile appearance, a characteristic shared with other British orchids like the lady, frog, man, and spider orchids. The fly orchid's deception is primarily achieved through its labellum, a modified petal that mimics the appearance of an insect. Close observation reveals how the labellum's curved edges create an illusion of volume, while a central iridescent blue patch resembles the sheen of folded insect wings. Despite its elaborate mimicry, the author notes that neither they nor Charles Darwin have personally witnessed the fly orchid being pollinated. The author has observed upwards of 20 fly orchid plants on Wolstonbury Hill, often finding them amidst other wildflowers such as bugle, wild marjoram, agrimony, and dock.