The leaf-cutter bees in our garden find the bell-shaped flowers of Symphyandra pendula irresistible.
As you can see from this image these very active little bees collect pollen on the underside of their abdomen and it's interesting to watch how they harvest it.
When they arrive they enter right way up and walk up into the bell along the central column of the flower but at some point, when they are out of view, they flip upside down.
This means that as they back out of the flower they pick up pollen on their abdomen as its brushed off from the central column of stamens in the flower.
Interesting to watch how the bees adapt to different flower architectures. The same bees are currently visiting the open bowl-shaped flowers of meadow cranesbill.
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Amazing photographs, fascinating little bees
ReplyDeleteMy favourite bees - wish I could find their nests
DeleteVery interesting. About a week ago, I saw one on a marigold, moving in circles as it rubbed its abdomen on the flower to collect pollen.
ReplyDeleteFascinating to watch how bees deal with different flowers
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