I thought it was rather odd too, but look what I found on Wikipedia, thanks to a comment on another post on Steemit by @acwood: - "Some bumblebees rob nectar, making a hole near the base of a flower to access the nectar while avoiding pollen transfer." Source - Wikipedia Who knew? I would not have believed it if I had not watched it with my own eyes!
robber bees....now that's a new one! they look very mean too - their colour so dark makes me wonder if they truly are bandits in their black hoodies and masks. :) I didn't detect a stinger so maybe he's okay "ish".
Here's a bit on Carpenter Bees, and "Robber" technique.
Apparently, size matters despite what some've been told. Carpenter Bees
Because of their size, Carpenter bees do tend to use the "robber" technique more so than most. particularly, with long tubular flowers, like your petunias.
I'm curious, do you see many Hummingbirds with these flowers?
I get a few at mine.
It's very interesting, isn't it? I had no idea that this happened with bees! No, I have not noticed hummingbirds at the Mexican Petunia. They seem to prefer the red salvia.
I thought it was rather odd too, but look what I found on Wikipedia, thanks to a comment on another post on Steemit by @acwood: - "Some bumblebees rob nectar, making a hole near the base of a flower to access the nectar while avoiding pollen transfer." Source - Wikipedia Who knew? I would not have believed it if I had not watched it with my own eyes!
robber bees....now that's a new one! they look very mean too - their colour so dark makes me wonder if they truly are bandits in their black hoodies and masks. :) I didn't detect a stinger so maybe he's okay "ish".
Good luck with the contest by the way.!
It's too funny! Bee bandits!
Here's a bit on Carpenter Bees, and "Robber" technique.
Apparently, size matters despite what some've been told. Carpenter Bees
Because of their size, Carpenter bees do tend to use the "robber" technique more so than most. particularly, with long tubular flowers, like your petunias.
I'm curious, do you see many Hummingbirds with these flowers?
I get a few at mine.
@dmcamera
It's very interesting, isn't it? I had no idea that this happened with bees! No, I have not noticed hummingbirds at the Mexican Petunia. They seem to prefer the red salvia.