Günther's Web Site - Arachnitiforme Ophrys in Western Europe

Ophrys exaltata subsp. exaltata

Ophrys exaltata subsp. exaltata is indicated for Sicily and Calabra. According to PAULUS and GACK (1990 in Jber.naturwiss.Ver.Wuppertal 43) it has the same pollinator bee Colletes cunicularius as several further arachnitiforme orchids along the coasts of Italy and France.

Since the lip of Ophrys exaltata subsp. exaltata is strongly bended back, it's usually looking rather narrow. There is the danger to confuse the species with Ophrys panormitana subsp. panormitana which usually has a broader to trilobed lip with stronger pilosity at the edges, and which is adapted to the pollinating bee Andrena thoracica. The perigon of Ophrys exaltata subsp. exaltata can be green as well as coloured.

Ophrys exaltata subsp. exaltata
left: Sicily Villafrati 30.3.1998
right: Sicily Vittoria 11.3.2002

Ophrys exaltata subsp. exaltata
I Calabria Spezzano 14.4.1992
(Photos:Helmut Presser)



Start page Contents	Rev: 6-Oct-2002

Arachnitiforme Ophrys in Western Europe

Introduction
Comparison of Stigmatic Caves



Ophrys ...
... sipontensis				x
... garganica				x	x	x
... passionis	x	x
... majellensis				x
... castri-caesaris		x		x
... incubacea	x	x		x	x	x
... brutia				x
... minipassionis				x
... classica				x
... sphegodes	x	x	x	x
... massiliensis		x		x
... araneola		x	x	?
... virescens	?	x		?
... argensonensis		x
... illyrica				?
... tommasinii				?
'small from Gargano'				x
'early near Naples'				x
... riojana	x
... argentaria				x
... tarquinia				x
'western arachnitif.'	x	x
... arachnitiformis		x		x
... splendida		x		x
... aveyronensis	x	x
... castellana	x
... tyrrhena				x
... cilentana				x
... archipelagi				x
... mateolana				x
... cephalonica
... exaltata				x		x
... panormitana						x
... praecox					x
... morisii					x
... provincialis		x
... panattensis					x
... lunulata						x
... tarentina				x
... promontorii				x
... melitensis



Arachnitiforme Ophrys in Western Europe