Neottia convallarioides [pollination & insect interaction]

These pictures shows a tiny spider that has made its web on a soon to be flowering Broad Lipped Twablade [Neottia convallarioides]. This is in anticipation of the insects [pollinators] that will soon be arriving to feed on the pollen that the tiny flowers provide, and in the case of this twayblade, fungus gnats are the insect. I find it fascinating that spiders always seem to have a internal clock, and an unknown sense, that tells them that the insects will soon be here and its time to build a web. The relationship flowers have with insects to pollinate them and to continue their species and the dependency predators have for these same flowers to attract these insects to feed on to continue there kind is truly remarkable. The life and death struggles that are going on right at our feet everyday that we never take the time to see or notice are simply amazing and are every bit as important as we are.  New York. 6-13-25

These incredible three pictures below From John Gange show a Fungus Gnat having pollinia that have attached themselves to its back. First pictures of the pollinator of Neottia convallarioides. New Hampshire ,July 3, 2024  [These pictures have been cropped and brightened for more detail]  

This set of incredible pictures shows for the first time the pollinator of Neottia convallarioides taken by John Gange! Notice the pollinia has attached itself to the back of this Fungus Gnat, after the gnat, having brushed its back against against the pollinia at the end of the column. Hopefully while visting a future flower the Fungus Gnat will bush the pollinia aganist the underside of the column where the stigma is located, and pollination will be successfully completed. Thank you to John for allowing he use of these amazing pictures! New Hampshire, July 3, 2024.

Fungus Gnat on Neottia convallarioides, a known pollinator. Coos County, N.H. 7-12-15