03 Jul 2023: Pyramidal Orchid and Crab Spider
A surprise discovery in June was a Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis), usually found in calcareous grassland. It will be interesting to see whether it survives in our woodland edge habitat.
A couple of weeks later in early July and the flower spike is looking even less pyramidal as the higher flowers open. You might notice that it has a visitor.
A crab spider (Misumena vatia) has taken up residence. Crab spiders do not spin webs. Instead they lurk in flowers and pounce on flies or bees when they arrive to pollinate the flower.