Pollination by insects is one of the many mechanisms by which plants are able to reproduce. There are various factors that can influence the plant’s ability to use this pollination vector, such as local pollinator availability and diversity. In this study, the diversity and behaviour of diurnal floral visitors and potential pollinators of Platanthera orchids were examined from 16 sites on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, from June to August 2019. Pan trapping was used to examine the diversity of the floral insect community at each site. Timed observations were used to assess the behaviour and identity of floral visitors and potential pollinators. A total of 473 insects were caught and an additional 254 were observed at orchids. The most abundant orders caught were Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, and ants; 170 individuals) and Diptera (flies; 154 individuals). Insect family diversity was low overall, and did not vary among species with different floral characteristics (green inflorescence: (1 – D) = 0.89; white inflorescence: (1 – D) = 0.89; short spurs (1 – D) = 0.86; long spurs (1 – D) = 0.90). Direct pollination was not observed. This study represents the first survey of insect communities and potential pollinators associated with Platanthera on Vancouver Island. These results provide important baseline data on insect diversity and floral visitor behaviour.
