Some, I discovered today through man-on-the-spot observation, collect pollen on purpose!
This morning I stopped to look at a large Magnolia blossom that was in full bloom because I had seen a bee fly into it. It was at eye level and wanted to watch the little creature at work. It had joined a much smaller bee-lookalike; a small wasp.
I had twelve hives of honey bees (apis mellifera) for a number of years, and seeing pollen-laden bees gliding back into the hive entrance by the thousands; most of them with little yellow-gold saddlebags of pollen attached to their back legs, was quite common. And also quite a beautiful sight in the morning sunlight.
Everyone knows that flowers have been designed by nature so that, when the honeybee bends over to withdraw nectar, the stamens will touch the hairs on the bee’s leg and the pollen will stick to the legs. That way, the bee carries the pollen to the next flower to pollinate it. That is correct, although not the entire picture.
This bee was rolling around quite vigorously on the small pile of stamens that had fallen free and were lying on the petal of the open flower. It looked like a dog wiggling on a grass lawn to scratch its back and rolling over just for the fun of it. When the bee had thoroughly “rolled” on the stamens, it rearranged its wings and flew away fully loaded with fresh pollen.
Bumblebees obviously have their own way of doing things.
finis
I made the photograph, and I retain all rights. Permission to enjoy is freely given.
Comments from real people are welcomed.
