Native Bee On Cactus Flower

Native bee on the flower of a diamond cholla cactus planted in our SoCal desert yard. The stamens (outer, male parts of the flower) are tightly oppressed to the pistil (inner, female part of the flower). The bee is trying to push the stamens aside, to get to the nectar reserves at the base of the pistil. As it "fights" the flower parts, the bee gets pollen all over its underside. In addition, it helps spread pollen from other flowers onto the pistil.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• native bee
• cactus flower