This is a widespread orchid and notable for the fact that it's the most northerly of the European Ophrys.
It is essentially a mid European orchid although it occurs rarely in Scandinavia to the north, Greece to
the south and Russia in the east. O. insectifera is one of only three members of the insectifera group and
although quite variable, would not be easily confused with the other two.
There is perhaps one exception to this observation and this is variety luteomarginata which although
basically similar to the type species, possesses a yellow margin to the lower lip albeit somewhat less pronounced than with either O. aymoninii or O. subinsectifera.
O. insectifera is a common orchid in its favoured locations and in those area's where it grows in close
association with other Ophrys, can be a keen gene doner. In southern France it can be abundant and
with so many partners to choose from, hybrids are common. It seems to show a particular partiality for
O. araneola in the Vercors. In Britain it has few opportunities, not simply because of the limited number
of species but also because of flowering times. In southern England however, it has occasionally cross bred with O. apifera and there a few well known sites where this interbreeding is a regular and reliable occurance.
Fly orchid (as its commonly known) will grow happily in full sun but is more regularly to be found in semi
shade at woodland edges and grassy banks. It can occur at suprisingly high altitudes (up to 2000m) and
grow side by side with more montane species such as D. sambucina, C. calceolus and O. spitzelii
The photograph's come from both Britain and France and date from late May.
