Insects and Spiders

Stealing Nectar

Large carpenter bees are known for stealing nectar without pollinating the flower. This pretty lady has just chewed thru the base of the flower and is sucking up the nectar pool stored there. Good thing there are plenty of smaller bees that will go down the throat of the flower and get covered in pollen. Even this bee has a bit of pollen sprinkled on her back.
Female Southern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa micans)
Violet Ruellia (Ruellia nudiflora)

Southern Carpenter Beecarpenter beeXylocopa micansbeebuginsectwhite rock lakedallas texasfemale beefemale carpenter beeFemale Southern Carpenter Beepollinatorpollinatepollennectarclose upfeedingRuellia nudifloraViolet RuelliaCommon Wild PetuniaWild Petuniareinhart branchwildflowernative wildflowernectaringnectar stealingseed pods