How some insects help flowers
All flowers are seed makers. But to make seeds, a flower must get some
pollen from another flower like itself. Many flowers need the help of
bees or other insects to bring pollen to them.
How do flowers get insects to visit them? Flowers make sweet juice
called nectar, which many insects like. Flowers “advertise” their
nectar. Their white or bright-colored petals and sweet scent tell
insects that there is nectar.
Bees and other insects go to these flowers. To get the nectar, a bee
pushes down into a flower. Some pollen from the flower’s anthers falls
on its body.
Then the bee buzzes to another flower and pushes down into it. Some
pollen on the bee’s body brushes off onto a part called a stigma, which
is often sticky. When this happens, the flower may begin to make seeds.
bee spreading pollen
(above) Bees and other insects help flowers make seeds by carrying
pollen from one flower to another, (left) Pollen from the anthers
brushes off onto this bee’s back.
