Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

22nd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
An orchid bee with pollinia on its back

Lycomormium orchids depend on orchid bees for their pollination. Exclusively. The male bees visit the flowers to obtain a scent that they store in specialized organs in their legs in order to attract female bees. In so doing, the bees end up taking away a packe of pollen known as pollinia, well stuck on their backs.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 04.2023
Date Uploaded: 12.2024
Photo Location: Ecuador
Camera: DMC-FZ300
Copyright: © Carlos Zorrilla