Featured – Orchids and Insects - North American Orchid Conservation Center

Pink Lady’s Slipper – Cypripedium acaule

The vertical slit in the pouch of this Lady’s Slipper is actually the entrance to a maze where tiny hairs inside the pouch direct the bee to first brush against the stigma, depositing any pollen the bee may be carrying.

Photo © Jim Fowler

Pink Lady’s Slipper – Cypripedium acaule

To exit the maze, the bee must squeeze out through one of the two small openings at the top of the pouch, picking up a new load of pollen to deliver to the next orchid it visits.

Photo © Jim Fowler

Fragrant Ladies’ Tresses – Spiranthes odorata

To get a sip of nectar, this sweat bee must grip the lip of the orchid while pressing its head against the sticky pollinia.

Photo © Jim Fowler

Fragrant Ladies’ Tresses – Spiranthes odorata

When the bee backs out of the flower, the pollinia remain attached between the eyes, ready to pollinate the next flower the bee visits in search of nectar.

Photo © Jim Fowler

Fairy Slipper – Calypso bulbosa

Some orchids that flower in early spring provide no floral reward at all. Instead they deceive newly emerged, naïve insects that haven’t yet learned which flowers offer a real reward.

Photo © Jim Fowler

Pale Grass Pink – Calopogon pallidus

Just a curious visitor. This little bee may be expecting a free meal, attracted by the yellow bristles that resemble pollen-covered stamens. But once inside the flower, he’s not the only one disappointed. This bee is too small to trigger the orchid’s lip and release the real pollen. This time nobody wins- except the photographer!

Photo © Jim Fowler

Yellow Fringed Orchid – Platanthera ciliaris

I was photographing orchids in the Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina when a Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly stopped by for a sip of nectar. In order to get the last drop of nectar, the butterfly has to stick his head deep into the flower.

Photo © Jim Fowler

Yellow Fringed Orchid – Platanthera ciliaris

When it pulls out, the pollinia are firmly attached directly below those huge butterfly eyes!

Photo © Jim Fowler

Small Purple Fringed Orchid – Platanthera psycodes

I’m always interested in the different pollination mechanisms that orchids employ. This was exciting for me to record, since it establishes the Silver Spotted Skipper as a pollinator for this orchid.

Small Purple Fringed Orchid – Platanthera psycodes

Notice the large group of gray-green pollinia stuck to the base of the coiled proboscis (tongue).

Three Birds Orchid – Triphora trianthophora

This orchid has a strange way of blooming: 48 hours after a consecutive two-day drop of the morning low temperatures, a massive bloom will occur, and every plant in the population will bloom at the same time. The flowers last a single day and stay open for about six hours. Simultaneous flowering is believed to enhance cross-pollination by small bees.

Three Birds Orchid – Triphora trianthophora

I was fortunate that the usually frantic action of the bee was slowed down by cool, rainy weather.

JIM FOWLER, PHOTOGRAPHER

Photo ©Walter Ezell
The next generation of orchids begins with the successful transfer of the male pollen to the female stigma. This month, photographer Jim Fowler explores this intimate relationship between orchids and insects—pollination. Many orchids offer sweet rewards or elaborate deceptions to attract an insect partner necessary to pollinate their flowers. Jim’s patience and attention to detail gives us a glimpse into this fascinating process. To learn more about pollination of our native orchids, we recommend An Atlas of Orchid Pollination by Nelis van der Cingel.
Jim Fowler was born in Bennettsville, South Carolina. As a child, under the influence of his father and maternal great-grandmother, he developed an interest in nature in general and wildflowers in particular. Studying nature is a necessary part of a well-centered life, and he does not miss any opportunity that presents itself.
Jim's writing and photography have appeared in the North American Native Orchid Journal, American Orchid Society's Orchid magazine, the Native Orchid Conference Journal, South Carolina Native Plant Society's monthly newsletter, and numerous other publications. He is the author of Wild Orchids of South Carolina: A Popular Natural History, which was published in 2005 by the University of South Carolina Press. His photographic images have appeared in numerous magazines, newsletters and websites in North America as well as overseas.
Recently retired, Jim is considering photography as a post-retirement career. The ability to get outdoors and commune with nature is a primary driving force in his decision. He currently devotes any free time he has to his photography blog.

Featured – Orchids and Insects

Pink Lady’s Slipper – Cypripedium acaule

Pink Lady’s Slipper – Cypripedium acaule

Fragrant Ladies’ Tresses – Spiranthes odorata

Fragrant Ladies’ Tresses – Spiranthes odorata

Fairy Slipper – Calypso bulbosa

Pale Grass Pink – Calopogon pallidus

Yellow Fringed Orchid – Platanthera ciliaris

Yellow Fringed Orchid – Platanthera ciliaris

Small Purple Fringed Orchid – Platanthera psycodes

Small Purple Fringed Orchid – Platanthera psycodes

Three Birds Orchid – Triphora trianthophora

Three Birds Orchid – Triphora trianthophora

JIM FOWLER, PHOTOGRAPHER

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