This is an excerpt from ‘Where Wild Orchids Grow’, a publication put together by Swedish Author-Photographer Johan Siggesson detailing the different species of wild orchids found in Malta.

Like all flowers, orchids need to be pollinated to produce seeds. Pollination is the act of moving pollen from the male parts to the female parts of a flower to enable fertilisation.

For most people, bees, bumblebees, and perhaps butterflies come to mind when mentioning pollination. In theory, though, any animal moving from one flower to another can act as a pollinator including flies, hummingbirds, beetles, wasps, moths, etc.

Many orchids around the world are so precisely fine-tuned that they rely solely on one specific pollinator. In virtually all of those cases, the orchid and pollinator have evolved in tandem over time.

Credit: Johan Siggesson

Different orchids use different methods to lure in pollinators. Offering a reward in the shape of nectar or providing shelter from unfavourable conditions are popular methods used both by local Maltese orchids but also by orchids in other parts of the world.

Sexual deception is one of the most spectacular approaches. The orchid produces a flower that mimics a female insect of a specific species to attract an unwary male. The male would land on the ‘female’ to try to copulate with her, only to be very disappointed at the lack of interest from this ‘female’. He would then continue to the next ‘female’ and pollination is potentially concluded. This somewhat fraudulent method is used by the local Bumblebee orchid and the endemic Maltese spider orchid amongst others.

In addition to good looks, the deception is sometimes perfected by producing enticing female pheromones identical to those of the real insect. “Sex sells,” they say.

Credit: Johan Siggesson

With this said, insects don’t visit orchids only for the tempting promises of fornications – sometimes they simply use them as their home, hiding place, hunting ground or farm.