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Pollination is the transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma of a flower. This seems like a simple mechanical act, but the interactions that take place between pollinating bee and the plant flower are often more complex than one thinks. To better understand this, it is often helpful to 'think' like a bee or 'think' like a plant. As a plant you produce a flower as an attraction to stimulate a bee to visit. This visit will hopefully pollinate and start the process of fertilization that will allow a fruit or seed to be produced. This fruit or seed ensures your reproduction. How do you attract the bee? Your flower should have visual cues that can be perceived by the bee such as a color of white, blue, or yellow and possibly a contrasting nectar guide (visible or in LJV) on the petal to direct the probing mouthparts. Positioning flowers in clusters on the inflorescence or into a head like a sunflower may also be advantageous. A reward of nectar or pollen must be provided to the bee to stimulate return, and continued visits. Without a reward bees stop visiting.It is better to spread the reward to induce many visits rather than providing a single banquet. As a bee you need to find pollen to feed your brood and nectar to fuel your flights, and sustain you over the long winter months. Your body parts and behavioral flexibility adapt you easily to obtain food from floral sources. You use all your senses - visual, olfactory and touch - to respond to the cues presented by flowers. Your use wings to transport you and legs to land with. You locate and probe for nectar and easily suck it from the flowers with specialized mouth parts. You groom your hairy body withcombs and brushes and some fancy legwork to pack the pollen in your corbiculae, and carry it back to the hive. You then use your communication system of dances and odors to let your hivemates know where the food is located. |
