Data from: Conflicting selection on floral scent emission in the orchid Gymnadenia conopsea

• Floral scent is a crucial trait for pollinator attraction. Yet, only a
handful of studies have estimated selection on scent in natural
populations and no study has quantified the relative importance of
pollinators versus other agents of selection.• In the fragrant orchid
Gymnadenia conopsea s.s., we used electroantennographic data to identify
floral scent compounds detected by local pollinators and quantified
pollinator-mediated selection on emission rates of ten target compounds as
well as on flowering start, visual display and spur length.• Nocturnal
pollinators contributed more to reproductive success than diurnal
pollinators, but there was significant pollinator-mediated selection on
both diurnal and nocturnal scent emission. Pollinators selected for
increased emission of two compounds and reduced emission of two other
compounds, of which none were major constituents of the total bouquet. In
three cases, pollinator-mediated selection was opposed by
non-pollinator-mediated selection, leading to weaker or non-detected net
selection.• Our study demonstrates that minor scent compounds can be
targets of selection, that pollinators do not necessarily favour strong
scent signalling, and that some scent compounds are subject to conflicting
selection from pollinators and other agents of selection. Hence, including
floral scent traits into selection analysis is important for understanding
the mechanisms behind floral evolution.