Giant Sphinx Moth observed visiting Ghost Orchid
 

In April of 2007 I found an amazing place with many Dendrophylax lindenii (the famous ghost orchid). Since then I have thoroughly enjoyed documenting these plants (with the grateful help of Mike Owen at Fakahatchee). I have recorded a spreadsheet of information about the plants including numbering each individual plant, recording data such as root length, number of live/dead rots, height, tree species, etc. During my ghost orchid outings I have come across three Florida panthers (together) and even was charged by a black bear (both of which I will never ever forget!).

During the last many months I have been planning of the Ghost Orchids to open this year so that I can attempt to so the giant sphinx moth (the theorized pollinator of the Ghost Orchid). I knew this would be a challenging task as no one to my knowledge has ever seen this meeting.

Last Saturday, May 17th, 2008, my wife, Misti, and I were out aiting for a moth to visit one of the Ghost Orchids. At some point over the buzzing of mosquitoes we both heard a low hum and then we saw movement in the moon light coming between the trees. The giant sphinx moth buzzed extremely close to Misti twice and then as we both were watching the flower it happened! The moth flew to the flower and then was quickly gone. The light at night was very dim and neither of us were sure if we had really seen what happened. Could it be?!? Luckily we had an infrared video camera set up pointed at the flower.

When we got home I nervously watched the video and couldn’t believe it, we had captured this amazing moment on video!

We would love to have National Geographic show this video so I am waiting to release the video, but still want to share this moment with all of you. In the next week or so I am going to do my best to update my website. I will post the address when it has more information.

That is incredible. Please keep us updated. This is not the ghost orchid but I do believe it is the close relative
YouTube - NATURE "The Best of NATURE -- 25 Years" | Exclusive | PBS

Oh wow did you see that tongue on that beauty!! Nature is so amazing!

i really enjoyed that dave. thanks

Dave, I saw that program too. The orchid in the video is Angraecum sesquipedale. I have Agraecum gradiose at home (with three buds!!)

I can only imagine (with a great deal of jealousy) what it would have been like to WITNESS this happening to a ghost orchid...WOW...

If Charles Darwin could see us now!! :bowing

Thanks for the name, I just hope I didn't ruin it for Chrisaggie, I still think that what they did is so awesome. I was talking to my buddy that I would like to do the same. I don't have a night vision camera so we where not making any plans. I hope they return with any info on there National Geo. experience.

I hope Chrisaggie wouldn't think anything was ruined for he and his wife. :hmm Still, the fact that they sat there and waited for this to occur is AMAZING; whatsmore, they CAUGHT IT ON TAPE...stunning! :drool:

If that had been me, I would've scared the poor moth to death with the screeching in excitement! I hope he posts the viseo soon!

Charmbutterfly, no, we didn't see the tongue. It was just too dark out to really see much detail.

FLHiker, that video is great! I have seen it before. Posting the video here doesn't bother me at all since that video doesn't include the ghost orchid or giant sphinx moth, but rather the Angraecum sesquipedale and Morgan's Sphinx Moth.

I'll keep you all posted of the ghost orchid's progress. Hopefully the video will be out soon!

I'm sooo relieved!! I'll be heading out tomorrow and you will be the topic of discussion I'm sure.
:clap::bowing:bowing:clap:

Dave, say hi to the Fak ghosts for me. It's been a while since I've been out there.

We are searching a new area (for us) Don't what we will find. Its 10:35 and 4:30 comes early. I would love to hear about your bear and panther story. There is a off topic forum if you find the time.

chris welcome to d O.B I sent you some pics of fakahatchee but never got a return,take care love d videos you n misti put on geocitie????????? studied religiously one of d reasons why my friend r out in d swamps looking at 1,000's of wild orchids...mike B.K.A as faka man.....see you...

It is a work in progress, but please check out my website if you get a chance, www.GhostOrchid.info.

Nice Site Chris, Looking forward to the video. Just a small suggestion maybe you can add a Guest book for visitors to leave comments. Thanks and I will keep an eye on the site.

Are you the same chrisaggie that posts on ReefCentral?

flhiker-That video was great.

Dave, thank you. The website will be update regularly until it is finished. I will work on getting a guestbook up.

Rothie, yes, I'm the same chrisaggie. :)

Here you go guys, I hope you enjoy.

YouTube - Ghost Orchid visited by Giant Sphinx Moth

Thank you that is incredible

Since you had the pleasure of being out there when they produce there scent, I'm sure took a whiff. Could you discribe the scent?

The scent is a mild soapy/clean smell. The smell is much stronger near dusk and at night. I guess this makes since because the moth needs to smell the flower at dusk and night. :)

Thats great! I'm glad I don't have to wait till midnight.

Beautifull

That's amazing! Thanks so much for sharing!

Dave, by your request I got a guestbook going. Please sign it for me. :)

I also got the pollination page up tonight.

Tomorrow should bring more updates.

How many ghost have you seen flower this year chris??????????????????????

17

Theres one polyradicion thats got two about to open, at the same time, but has three old spikes thus that mean last year three flowers where opened simultaneously???????????????????? That should be something to behold...

Mike, if a plant has three old spike it doesn't neccessarily mean the plant had 3 flowers at once. A plant can hang on to it's old spikes for several years. If a plant does have more than one spike the flowers on those spikes may or may not open at the same time. Also, sometime a spike has more than one flower, together or at a separate time.

I have updated my site a little more. The culturing at home page has been updated, I thought you all might like to read it.

aggie
 

:rofl: Thanks for the info. chris,how far do you trek from the main road is it a long ,long , or is it short ,right now the ghost's I'm witnessing are a good 40 minute hike thru some heavy terrain not pleasant,but I guess that the way it goes 4 now....:goodluck:

Mike, for the safety of the plants I don't want to give anything abot their location away, I'm sure you understand. The population I'm working with comprizes about half of the known ghost orchids.

:twocents: :scratchhead: COOL

If you have time check out the general information page I have just added. I think you all will like it. You may give comments if you like.