A Strange Pollination Syndrome in Ecuador...

This Orchid species depends on a single species of pollinator for its pollination. What's more, it doesn't actually offer the pollinator any reward, but instead deceives the pollinator into visiting the flower by pretending to be the pollinators prey. Phragmipedium pearcei tricks female hover flies (in the species Ocyptanthes antiphales) into visiting the flowers by producing spots on the inside…