Is It Orchid or Insect? - Creation Moments

Exodus 15:11
“Who [is] like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who [is] like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful [in] praises, doing wonders?”

There are at least four known types of orchids that effectively pretend to be female insects. They are so good at this ruse that they attract the attentions of male pollinators. That there are four different varieties that do this makes it clear that this trickery isn’t due to chance. The Creator does not want us to make the mistake of thinking that He doesn’t exist.

The Ophrys group of orchids are found around the Mediterranean. Ophrys orchids produce flowers that look and smell so much like the insect that pollinates it, the male insect will mate with the flower. In the process, he picks up the pollen. The pollen is then carried to another flower, thus ensuring the next generation. The flowers even mimic the sheen of the female’s wings, the furry fringe on her abdomen, and her antennae.

The Cryptostylus orchid, found in New Guinea and Australia, mimics the female of the wasp that pollinates it. The Cryptostylus does this so perfectly that it even moves as a mating female. The same is true of an orchid found in the Andes that is pollinated by a particular species of fly through the same ruse.

God has much more in mind than just letting us know that He is. He wants us to see that He is intimately involved with His creatures. Through the perfect life of Jesus Christ, and His suffering, death and resurrection, He has removed the final barriers between us and Himself. With the barrier of sin removed by forgiveness, He may be even more intimately involved with each of us on a personal basis.

Prayer: I thank You, Lord, for Your creativity and genius that is so clearly displayed in the creation. Grant me Your Holy Spirit so that I might be enabled to display more genius and creativity as I serve You. Amen.

Author: Paul A. Bartz

Ref: Batten, Mary. 1983. “Sex & plants.” Science Digest, Oct. Photo: Hammer Orchid by Mark Brundett CC BY SA 3.0