TIL that the thynnid wasp and the orchid Drakea glyptodon have a relationship involving sexual deception. The female wasp is flightless, so she climbs on top of plants to signal potential mates. This flower has evolved to resemble the female wasp. The males mistake it for a female, and fertilize it.
https://uk.inaturalist.org/taxa/568896-Drakaea-glyptodon
#til #todayilearned
https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/1gc0v66/til_that_the_thynnid_wasp_and_the_orchid_drakea/
https://uk.inaturalist.org/taxa/568896-Drakaea-glyptodon
#til #todayilearned
https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/1gc0v66/til_that_the_thynnid_wasp_and_the_orchid_drakea/
King-in-his-carriage (Drakaea glyptodon)
Drakaea glyptodon, commonly known as king in his carriage is a species of orchid endemic to the south–west of Western Australia. It is pollinated by a single species of male thynnid wasp using sexual deception.iNaturalist United Kingdom
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