Fans of orchids will bee (!) pleased to hear that a bee orchid is in flower at Fen Drayton Lakes.
Bee Orchid (Andy Hay, rspb-images)
Whilst the bee orchid is relatively common in the UK, it is nevertheless a fascinating plant and well worth going to see. The bee orchid (Ophrys apifera) is one of nature’s great mimics; the flower has evolved with the single purpose of attracting amorous male bees. Perched within the large pink sepals are petals shaped and coloured like a visiting bee. And the deception doesn’t stop there. This bee imposter has a velvety texture and, thanks to chemicals secreted from the plant, even smells like a female bee.
As far as male bees are concerned, there is a female bee foraging in the flower. As the males attempt to mate, pollen grains stick to their antennae like yellow horns. Once he realises he’s been duped he moves on to the next convincing flower where, in his second attempt at seduction, he deposits the pollen. This whole process is known as pseudocopulation.
Ophrys species are found throughout the Mediterranean but its long suffering bee friend is not; in the UK, the relationship has come to an end. Here, the bee orchid has given up relying on bees for pollination and instead has evolved to do it alone through self pollination. The pollen hangs in a clump known as the pollinia and this is blown against the receptive surface of the stigma. The resulting seeds are produced in thousands. They are minute and, as a result, highly mobile, often being transported several kilometres. Bee orchids grow on open grassland on base-rich soil and they also like disturbed ground. As a result, they often turn up in unusual places like disused quarries, roadside edges – and nature reserve car parks!
The UK is home to 56 species of native orchids. However, this number is likely to decrease in the future as our climate warms. Bee orchids are already responding to climate change – their northern limit has already shifted over 50km north in the past 40 years. Whilst bee orchids and pyramidal orchids – which can also be found at Fen Drayton Lakes – are increasing their range and moving north, other species are starting to struggle. For those plants that still rely on insect pollination, warmer springs mean flowering may no longer occur at the same time as insect emergence.
The bee orchid can be found in the main car park of Fen Drayton Lakes. The pyramidal orchid can be found on the Drayton Loop, parallel to the guided bus way. For more information, please email fendraytonlakes@rspb.org.uk
Pyramidal Orchid (David Evans, Flickr)