It’s called nectar robbing: Bees get nectar, but don’t pollinate the plants in exchange.

Carpenter Bees Stab Flowers to Steal Their Nectar Deep Look

Premiered July 19, 2022
Carpenter Bees Stab Flowers to Steal Their Nectar

With their short tongues, Valley carpenter bees can’t easily drink the nectar from tubular flowers. So they use powerful mandibles to slice into the blooms and steal it. It’s called nectar robbing, since the plants don’t get the benefit of being pollinated by these enormous bees.

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