VELCRO FLOWERS

Have you ever wondered how bees stick to a flower while sipping nectar? You might think that the answer would be down to the bees, but for once it isn’t them. In reality, it’s the flowers that have evolved adhesive coatings that stick mechanically to the texture of a bee’s feet providing a solid connection.

Interestingly, researchers a Cambridge University (Current Biology, 2009) found that bees have learned to favour plants which have evolved the most tactile surfaces. Beverley Glover, quoted, said: “For bees to maintain their balance and hold onto a flower is no easy task, especially in windy or wet conditions. It’s great to see that evolution has come up with the simple solution of equipping flowers with a Velcro-like surface that bees can get a grip on”.
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