Ophrys ariadnae
Another wild orchid for my Wildflowers of Crete set.
I'm not sure about the exact species (I'm no expert), but I think this is Ophrys ariadnae.
Captured at Gious Kambos (Γιους Κάμπος), near Spili, in Rethymno prefecture.
Best viewed Large, On Black.
Orchids of the genus Ophrys bear a semblance to bees, thus are commonly called bee orchids. This is part of their clever way of deceiving pollinators. This visual semblance is enhanced by producing the scent (pheromones) of a receptive female bee, thus attracting male bees, who proceed to pseudo-copulate with the flower, pollinating it in the process.