Fly Orchid
CR

Fly Orchid

Ophrys insectifera

UnknownLCEULCEU

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophrys_insectifera

Overview

Ophrys insectifera, the fly orchid, is a species of orchid and the type species of the genus Ophrys. It is remarkable as an example of the use of sexually deceptive pollination and floral mimicry, as well as a highly selective and highly evolved plant–pollinator relationship.

The Fly Orchid faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification, urban development, and changes in land management practices that have eliminated or degraded the calcareous grasslands and woodland edges it requires. Climate change and the loss of specialized pollinating insects further threaten remaining populations, while the species' highly specific ecological requirements make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes.

Threat summary

Habitat

It is native to Europe, growing further north than most other species in the genus Ophrys, in Scandinavia, Finland and the Baltic states, and as far south as Greece and Spain. In the UK it is a rare species, with a southern distribution.

TERRESTRIAL· major

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CR

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Epipactis atrorubens

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Fly Orchid classified as Critically Endangered?
Fly Orchid is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The Fly Orchid faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification, urban development, and changes in land management practices that have eliminated or degraded the calcareous grasslands and woodland edges it requires. Climate change and the loss of specialized pollinating insects further threaten remaining populations, while the species' highly specific ecological requirements make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes.
Where does Fly Orchid live?
Fly Orchid occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Fly Orchid?
The main threats to Fly Orchid are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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