 While pollination by ants is somewhat rare , several Myrmecia species have been observed pollinating flowers . For example , the orchid Leporella fimbriata is a myrmecophyte which can only be pollinated by the winged male ant M. urens . Pollination of this orchid usually occurs between April and June during warm afternoons , and may take several days until the short @-@ lived males all die . The flower mimics M. urens queens , and so the males move from flower to flower in an attempt to copulate with it . M. nigrocincta workers have been recorded visiting flowers of Eucalyptus regnans and Senna acclinis , and are considered a potential pollination vector for E. regnans trees . Although Senna acclinis is self @-@ compatible , the inability of M. nigrocincta to appropriately release pollen would restrict its capacity to effect pollination . Foraging M. pilosula workers are regularly observed on the inflorescences of Prasophyllum alpinum ( mostly pollinated by wasps of the family Ichneumonidae ) . Although pollinia are often seen in the ants ' jaw , they have a habit of cleaning their mandibles on the leaves and stems of nectar @-@ rich plants before moving on , preventing pollen exchange . It is unknown whether M. pilosula contributes to pollination . 
