Pseudocopulation is achieved when a flower successfully mimics the appearance and the pheromones emitted by the female of an insect species. The chemicals emitted by the mimicking species work to draw these pollinators to the plant and increase the number of visits to and time spent on the flower. This increases the chances that pollen will efficiently stick to the organism or that pollen already stuck to it is transferred to the plant.
In one study on mining bees (Andrena nigroaenea) and spider orchids (Ophrys sphegodes Mill.) it was found that unpollinated spider orchids emitted odours that consisted of hydrocarbons that were an exact match for the odours released by virgin female bees. As a result, male mining bees are extremely attracted to the flowers of the spider orchid, triggering more quick visits to the flower and in some cases the male bees attempt copulation, either getting themselves sufficiently covered in pollen or successfully transferring it to another plant.