Sexual deception has evolved repeatedly within the Orchidaceae. All species exploit the sexual communication system of insects; they rely on a combination of olfactory, visual and tactile signals for tempting mate‐searching males into copulation attempts with their flowers. The exploitation of their pollinator's private communication channel ensures a highly effective pollen transport between conspecific flowers. Despite the elaborate pollination mechanisms deployed by sexually deceptive orchids, their annual reproductive success is notoriously low. This has fuelled intensive research into the evolutionary mechanisms which have given rise to sexual deception. Existing evidence support the hypothesis that these orchids have traded high reproductive output for higher quality seed production. But other factors may also be involved. While their evolution remains shrouded in mystery, their diversification has been revealed to be linked to repeated pollinator shifts mediated by the malleability of their floral traits. Despite decades of research, sexual deception still poses unanswered questions.

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