Caleana major (IMAGE)

La Trobe University

Caleana major

Caption

As is the case for many orchids, the Dragon Orchid (Caladenia barbarossa) is pollinated by just a single species of insect. Here, pollination occurs via a male thynnine wasp, which is sexually attracted to the flower through mimicry of the wasp's sex pheromones. In this photo the male wasp removes and deposits pollen in the process of attempting to copulate with the flower

Credit

Dr Ryan Phillips, La Trobe University

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