Illuminating the pollination biology of the cryptic underground orchids of NSW: New tools for monitoring and ensuring successful future translocation

The conservation of the mysterious underground orchids of NSW, Rhizanthella slateri and R. speciosa, is extremely challenging since even the flowers remain hidden in the leaf litter. This project builds on new knowledge and demonstrated feasibility acquired during an ongoing collaboration between the ANU and NSW DPE. This research has shown that the pollination of theseorchids is dependant on a specialised interaction withundescribed species of scuttle flies in the phorid genus,Megaselia. Chemical analysis has revealed unusual floralvolatiles as candidate compounds mediating the interaction, while passive malaise traps have proven effective for capturing putative pollinators. Phorids are highly diverse yet poorly understood, thus DNA barcoding is essential to map pollinator diversity, distribution and abundance.