Dancersend

By Dancersend

Pseudocopulation

I've been waiting a few years for this photograph - a male digger wasp Argogorytes mystaceus engaged in pseudocopulation with a Fly Orchid flower. This arrangement, to aid pollination, is remarkable. The Fly Orchid flowers prove to be irresistable to male wasps of this species, not only due to their appearance, resembling a fly/wasp-type insect, but also because they give off the same pheromone as the female wasp. It was wonderful to see this great natural deception happening, and for once I had my camera to hand!

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