Bluebells are important early flowers for bees, hoverflies and butterflies, which feed on the nectar. However, bees are able to ‘steal’ nectar from bluebells by biting a hole in the bottom of the bell, allowing them to reach the nectar without pollinating the flower.
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I wonder if the same technique is used to obtain nectar from wild fuscia? This shrub evolved to be fertilized by humming birds as they worked the blossoms and by not bees. Here in Kerry, bees are able to exploit the nectar rich blossoms, yet it is rare to see a seed pod.