Ophrys fusca

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Ophrys fusca, commonly known as the sombre bee-orchid or the dark bee-orchid, is a species of orchid native to the Mediterranean from southwestern Europe and northern Africa to western Asia. Most subspecies of the Ophrys fusca are pollinated by males Andrena bees.

Etymology

The genus name Ophrys comes from Greek and means 'eyebrow' - a reference to the hairy fringe of the lip of the flower of many orchids in this genus. The specific epithet fusca means 'dusky' or 'brown', while the subspecies name iricolor refers to the iridescent colouring of the speculum.

Pouyannian mimicry

The somber bee orchid imitates the appearance of a female common sand bee (Andrena flavipes) to attract males for pollination. Further pollinators are the sand bee (Andrena nigroaenea) and the spring silk bee (Colletes cunicularius). This is an example of Pouyannian mimicry

Subspecies

The following subspecies are currently recognized:

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