Ophrys apifera has been considered to preferentially practice self-pollination. The flowers are almost exclusively self-pollinating in the northern ranges of the plant's distribution, however pollination by the solitary bee Eucera longicornis occurs in the Mediterranean region, where Ophrys apifera is more common. E. longicornis males have been observed attempting to copulate with the flowers, which emit allomones that mimic the scent of the female bee. These allomones are also known to attract bee species Tetralonia cressa and Eucera pulveraceae. In addition to chemosensory mimicry, the labellum of the flower acts as a visual decoy that the male bee confuses for a female. It is believed that male bees preferentially select orchids with the most bee-like labellum and attempt copulation, at which point the pollinia stick to the bee during the pseudocopulation.Dawkins, R. (1986) The Blind Watchmaker This achieves pollen transfer and, potentially, pollination.
Ophrys apifera has been considered to preferentially practice self-pollination The flowers are almost exclusively self-pollinating in the northern ranges of the plant's distribution however pollination by the solitary bee Eucera longicornis occurs in the Mediterranean region where Ophrys apifera is more common E longicornis males have been observed attempting to copulate with the flowers which emit allomones that mimic the scent of the female bee These allomones are also known to attract bee species Tetralonia cressa and Eucera pulveraceae In addition to chemosensory mimicry the labellum of the flower acts as a visual decoy that the male bee confuses for a female It is believed that male bees preferentially select orchids with the most bee-like labellum and attempt copulation at which point the pollinia stick to the bee during the pseudocopulationDawkins R (1986) The Blind Watchmaker This achieves pollen transfer and potentially pollination