![\"bee-orchid.jpg\"](\"http:\/\/www.yellowhousehomeschool.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/05\/bee-orchid.jpg\")
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<\/a> This is a bee orchid – the flower imitates a female bee with a view to attracting male bees who will get a dose of pollen before they fly away disappointed.\u00a0 They are supposed to be common around the Mediterranean, but this particular individual is the only one we know of in our area.\u00a0 Apparently they can also self-pollinate, which is probably lucky for it!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n <\/a> And here is some kind of insect, presumably a larva, hanging out underwater in a birch bud scale.\u00a0 Their disguise is convincing enough that we wouldn’t have spotted them at a casual glance.\u00a0 We were sitting still while Antonia ate her snack, and it was their movement that gave them away.\u00a0 We learned that they graze on the brownish algae that coat the bottom of favourite stream.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We are back to nearly normal with enough energy to get outside! This is a bee orchid – the flower imitates a female bee with a view to attracting male bees who will get a dose of pollen before they fly away disappointed.\u00a0 They are supposed to be common around the Mediterranean, but this particular … Continue reading Nature walk: disguise and deception<\/span> <\/p>\n