Electric bumblebees
by Chris, 15 June, 2016, 1 comments
Flowers have various ways of tempting pollinating insects to visit them. Indeed, some have very complex mechanisms to promote pollination and fertilisation, for example, the bee orchid. In order to attract pollinating bees, the orchid has evolved “bee-look-alike” flowers. These draw the bees in with the “promise of sex”. They attempt to mate with the flower, landing on the velvety lip of the flower and pollen is transferred. The bee leaves ‘frustrated’. However, the right species of bee doesn't live in the U.K., so here bee orchids self-pollinate. Read more...
