Man Orchids and Twayblade Pollination

 This year, the man orchids in a local old quarry site have done better than the previous one though not back to peak numbers. There were hundreds of Twayblades growing with them which made the task of photographing some pollinators a bit easier though the strong breezes didn't help. Here a Soldier Beetle with the pollinia attached to its head and a flower showing the position of the pollinia that greet visiting insects. When it visits the next flower, pollen will rub off onto the stigma. Lots of other insects were enjoying the nectar feast but none had triggered the pollinia transferral