O. aegirtica was first described by Delforge from Gers (France) in 1996 and its name refers to the
connection with this area - literally meaning "from Gers".
This is an uncommon member of the 13 strong O. tetraloniae group which takes its name from theTetralonia genus of bee's that are the most significant pollinators of this grouping of Ophrys.
The species is endemic to France and its base is in the south of that country where it is perhaps at its most frequent in the lower basin of the Rhone in the area between Var and Tarn, although it is not a common orchid in any part of its limited range. Identification is not easy and there are several other species with
which it may be confused. Two important features of the O. tetraloniae group generally, serve to help
with identification ;- 1. The tendency to be wholly or partially scolopaxoid and :- 2. for the submarginal band of lip hair to be broader and more complete than in other similar species.
As can be seen from the pictures O. aegiritica presents an angular and noticably oblong appearance when viewed face on and although sepals are normally considered to be predominantly dark purple, paler colours are in our opinion really quite common.
O. aegirtica is a late flowerer and these pictures all date from the first week of June, at which time they
were clearly only just getting into there stride. The illustrations here come from a site in the hills north
of Marseille .
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