I recently came upon some photographs I took at the 2008 NY Botanical Gardens Orchid Show and was reminded how amazing these flowers are. In fact, I posted about my visit to the Gardens and included photos of amazing orchids of various shapes and colors. Some of them are simply stunning. Some, quite odd. If you’d like to see that post, you can find it here – Orchids
Anyway, after looking at the pictures, I did some research on orchids, wondering about those odd shapes and colors. I learned quite a lot.
Some orchids, it seems, have evolved to mimic the shape of female wasps, thus luring male wasps to them with ease. On the surface, this sounds like a science class, but to me it is so much more.
It’s romance. It’s horror. It’s physiological and psychological manipulation, self-serving behavior, and eugenics all rolled into one. It’s the be-all of Amazonian dominance.
Let’s start at the beginning…
When male and female wasps mate, they produce female offspring. Females, when they reproduce without a male – because, yes, they can do that – produce male offspring. But, these orchids are so lovely, plentiful and submissive that male wasps often find them more attractive than their real-life counterparts.
I think sex toys and internet porn. No back-talk, no “nagging”, no mother-in-law issues and no not-now-I’ve-got-a-headache speeches. Oh. Wait. That’s a human thing…
Still…
Orchids attract wasps for their own self-serving reasons. Reproduction. By luring these boys to them, pollination is sure to occur. That’s great for the orchid, not so great for the wasp. As these boys consummate the joining with their lovely flower, they exert more energy than they should and lose body mass.
Sex, done right, is quite a workout even for wasps. Apparently.
For your viewing pleasure… if you’re into this sort of thing…
Here are mating wasps…
Photo copyright Randy Harrison 2008
And here is a male wasp ‘mating’ with an orchid…
Photo copyright - Rod Peakall 2007
Orchids benefit twice from this mating trickery. Not only are they assured their species will live on – as if an orchid has the capacity to be ‘assured’ – but while males are mating with them, females are left to reproduce on their own. And when that happens, remember, more males wasps are created. And that guarantees the continuance of the orchid.
No wonder we admire orchids so much. They’re self-confident, exotic, sexy, and in total control of their present and their future. If I didn’t mind setting down roots somewhere and having creepy crawlies having their way with me, I might not mind being an orchid.
Ah, to be so alluring…
Next time you gaze at a stunningly odd-shaped orchid, admire the colors veined through it, its thick petals, proud stature, try to keep in mind it is a wonder of nature and not, no matter what you’ve read here, simply a wasp-sized blow-up doll.
That is cool! I’ve had an orchid as a houseplant. Because I have a black thumb, it died. I never knew it attracted wasps. What a cool little factoid.
Great research here. I just loved learning something new, and about a topic I never would have imagined. 😀
LOL. Same here! I never imagined I, of all people, would research insects. You should only know how squeamish and girly I am around them. It’s an embarrassment to me but comic relief to those who say they love me. 😉
Wow. What great information and yes, it triggers a whole bunch of parrellel thoughts about people. lol
Nature is an incredible force that connects to us in more ways than we can comprehend. Once I started reading about this, I just couldn’t stop. It’s like some kind of b-rated sci-fi movie! 🙂
Too funny, Deb! Great research. I’ll never look at an orchid quite the same way. 😉
LOL! Neither will I, Jolyse! I’ve often thought orchids looked a little raunchy but now… sheesh. There’s no turning back.
HAHAHAHAHA You learn something new every day 😀
You know… the last thing I thought I, of all people, would research, would be bugs. lol.
Wow, I had no idea! Truly fascinating. Who knew orchids were so devious 🙂
So true! What devious females they are. lol
Love the research, Debbie. Interesting! I guess it just shows even male wasps aren’t that paticular about whom/what they mate with. lol
I’ve aways admired orchids but, like Catie, I have a black thumb. Giving me a plant is like giving the plant a death sentence. But I keep trying.
It seem males of all species are somewhat less particular than females. 🙂
About that black thumb… maybe capture some male wasps, keep them in your sun-house with the orchids and watch the orchids reproduce! LOL
Thank you for the interesting science lesson, Debora! I looked at your previous post about orchids and indeed some of them are so bizarre looking. It’s incredible. And I HATE wasps, could hardly look at the pictures, whether they’re mating or not, they’re creepy! But the orchids are lovely!
Patti
I share your hatred of wasps… as well as everything crawly. You had to see me squeamishly looking for just-right pictures to post here. ’twasn’t easy. lol.
There’s one orchid in particular from that earlier post that looks like some kind of creature from a science-fiction film. It’s the brown one, fuzzy and curled up top. Bizarre looking for sure!
What tricky little deviants flowers are. Nature has such a wonderful way of exploiting itself. I’ll never look at one without suspicion again. Great blog. And might I say something I had no idea about. Learning everyday. Thanks Debora.
My pleasure Doree. And true – these deviants need to be looked at with suspicion. lol. That made me laugh aloud. 🙂
I didn’t know orchids did all that. What wickedly cleaver flowers.
Thank you for the post. Always enlightening.
I had no idea either. As I was researching this, I kept thinking there was something wrong with the info. But… it does make sense. Nature has a way of taking care of herself. This is just one of those ways.
I love orchids. Have you ever watched The Seedy Side of Plants? There are many very naughty plants out there.
The Seedy Side of Plants? I’ve never watched that but if there are naughty plants in it, I’m in! LOL! Thanks for the heads up. I’m suddenly finding the flower world a rather intriguing place. 🙂
You’re a true friend–managing to blend two of my favorite things in one blog post (I’ll let you ponder which two;-) A fun and enlightening post! I’m going to link it to my FB page. I think the world need to be aware of this:-)
Flowers and… wasps… right, Pam? LOL! Thanks for the link!!
LOL – who knew? Makes me think of Georgia O’Keefe’s artwork.
True! I think of Red Canna (one of my favorites of hers). It’s gorgeous. See it at the top of this page – http://www.johnston.k12.ia.us/technologyservices/instructionaltechnology/ITArt/OKeefe.htm
Fascinating! I’m learning more every day by knowing some of you. And I will definitely never look at an orchid again without thinking about the mating rituals of wasps. LOL 🙂
Too funny! I do wish these gorgeous flowers attracted a sweeter insect/bug, like maybe a lightening bug or lady bug. They’re much easier to look at than wasps! 🙂
This was so engaging. At first, I thought “orchids?” I have a brown thumb. But nature can be so amazing, and you describe this process so well. (Now I’ll feel a little bad when I spray that killing stuff on the wasps that linger around our back door.)
Wonderful post, Debora!
I have an idea, Julie. When you spray that killing stuff on the wasps, just think of yourself as part of the VICE squad, protecting young orchids and wasps from a life of deception and misguided passion. LOL
Wow! There are SO many ways I can go with this one. I’ll just say I’ve enjoyed learning about nature. lol! That is all 😉
lol! “Science class” never held your attention so well, did it? 🙂