The other day in the garden I noticed large and small bumblebees, even wasps, landing on the flowers. I also saw they were crawling up to the bottom of the flower and not at the end where the nectar is. Again and again I saw each one doing the same thing.
I thought they must be cutting into the end of the flower and getting the nectar from there. I wasn't sure, but I knew they were too large and their mouth parts weren't long enough to reach inside the flowers for nectar.
I did a search to find out if my premise was correct. Guess what, there is such an activity in nature. Certain bumblebees, wasps, fruit bats, even a species of squirrel actually do cut into the flower to rob the nectar. It's called
nectar robbing. Click the link to read more about
nectar robbing.
Keep on eye on nature, you never know what you might learn. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished - Lao Tzu
Neccessity makes for some clever adaptations doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteHi Sue, thanks, yes and I was so surprised to learn about the creatures that rob for nectar and that it really doesn't, for the most part, affect plant pollination negatively.
ReplyDeleteinteresting and some good photos too
ReplyDeleteHi Anna, thanks, I love watching all the insects, animals, and birds in nature.
DeleteMother Nature always has surprises in store for us!
ReplyDeleteHi Suzi, thanks, we can always learn something new that is for sure.
DeleteHow interesting. Thanks for figuring it out.
ReplyDeleteHi Joanne, thanks, I was reading that back in the 1800s scientists figured this out but it was new to me.
DeleteThe more they rob the better; and the more bees there are, the better! :)
ReplyDelete