Male digger bee (Anthophora dufourii) collecting nectar and pollinating Salvia hierosolymitana. Many Salvia species deploy a staminal lever mechanism: when a bee probes the flower for nectar, the stamens are lowered to deposit pollen on the bee's back. Note that the front leg of the bee is amputated. Taken on Mount Carmel, Israel, April 10, 2012.
This is the English translation of the Picture of the day description page from 7 August 2012.
Male digger bee (Anthophora dufourii) collecting nectar and pollinating Salvia hierosolymitana. Many Salvia species deploy a staminal lever mechanism: when a bee probes the flower for nectar, the stamens are lowered to deposit pollen on the bee's back. Note that the front leg of the bee is amputated. Taken on Mount Carmel, Israel, April 10, 2012.
