DOI: 10.5061/dryad.rxwdbrvk7
title: Data from: Identification of pollinators of lesser twayblade (Neottia cordata L.) with DNA barcoding reveals strong links with pine forest-related fauna

description: Many European terrestrial orchids are in decline. To curb this negative
 trend and preserve remaining populations, more ecological knowledge is
 needed. Surprisingly little is known yet about the identity and efficiency
 of pollinators of Lesser Twayblade (Neottia cordata), a small terrestrial
 orchid species associated with pine trees through joint mycorrhizae. We
 identified its small and inconspicuous pollinators with DNA barcoding and
 assessed its fruit set with the help of observations submitted to various
 nature platforms. We caught pollinators on Terschelling in The Netherlands
 during the flowering season of 2013 and 2014. Insects were identified with
 28S and COI sequences obtained from both fresh and museum-preserved
 material identified by specialists. Several pollinators were detected,
 belonging to either parasitoid wasps (Braconidae) and spider wasps
 (Pompilidae), active during sunny periods, or fungus gnats (Mycetophilidae
 and Sciaridae), active during overcast conditions. Combined pollinator
 efforts resulted in a continuous average fruit set above 70% in Europe
 over the past 135 years. The parasitoid wasps were identified as Bracon
 pineti and Blacus sp., which strongly depend on pine trees for their prey.
 The fungus gnats were identified as Austrosciara hyalipennis, Trichosia
 lengersdorfi, Allodia lugens and Phronia forcipata. All four species are
 known to deposit their eggs in the vicinity of fruiting bodies of Cone
 Caps (Strobilurus stephanocystis), mushrooms growing on pine cones, as
 their larvae feed on the fungi. Priocnemis pertubator and Anoplius
 viaticus (Pompilidae) are also important pollinators. Results obtained
 show that Lesser Twayblade is even more intricately linked to pine forest
 ecosystems than previously thought. Management of growth sites of N.
 cordata should be tailored towards preserving pine tree forests with plots
 that are constantly being rejuvenated to generate young pine trees and
 prevent succession towards birch-oak forests. Such forests not only
 provide mycorrhizal fungi and layers of needle litter needed for
 germination and development of the seeds of this orchid but also
 pinewood-decaying fungi that provide egg deposition sites and food for its
 pollinators.  
description: Data set was collected in different methods: 
 field observations collection of
 insects search of herbaria
 search of publically open data repositories
description: # Identification of pollinators of Lesser Twayblade (Neottia cordata L.)
 with DNA barcoding reveals strong links with pine forest-related fauna
 [https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.rxwdbrvk7](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.rxwdbrvk7) ## Description of the data and file structure Supplemental Data Supplement Supplement 1: Count of pollen export and import of 33 plants Supplement 2 :Fruit set counted in six different locations Supplement 3: List of all pollinators and visitors collected in different locations Supplement 4: GenBank accession barcodes obtained Supplement 5 (Table_S2_-*pollen_export*-*import_Neottia_cordata*-(supporting_information)) : Pollen export-import, raw data Supplement 6 (Table_S3_-*fruit_set_Neottia_cordata*(supporting_information)): Fruit set, raw data Supplement 7 (Table_S4_-*Pollinators_and_visitors_of_Neottia_cordata*(in_literature)): List of pollinators and visitors, references in literature (missing family and species mentioned as?) Supplement 8 (Table_S5_-_Fruit_set_on_photos_of_public_internet_repositories): Fruit set percentage obtained by using photos of public internet repositories Data was derived from the following sources: * observation.org * Waarneming.nl * GBIF The included supplemental files contain all of the information necessary to support research findings