1. Module 6. Bees visit flowers Bees, Pollen and Nectar

2. Pollen Pollen grains are tiny (microscopic). Pollen from every plant has a special shape. apple blossom Pollen grains from: daffodil tulip ©Susan Johnson 2007

3. Parts of the flower Pollen is produced in the anthers Female parts of the flower ˚

4. Pollen must pass into the Ovule (egg) to fertilize the flower

5. Bees clean pollen from their hairy bodies into “pollen baskets” on their legs. Pollen baskets ©Susan Johnson 2007

6. Nectar Plants make nectar which collects in the middle of the flower, between the petals, in the nectary. ©Susan Johnson 2007 Bees have to push past the pollen covered parts (anthers), and the pollen receiving parts of the flower (stigma) to get to the nectary.

7. Bees carry nectar to the hive in a special stomach Honey stomach

8. Nectar becomes honey Bees suck up nectar using their tongue (proboscis) A bee holds the nectar on its tongue and the heat and air flow through the hive makes the nectar thicker – it becomes honey.

9. Bees store pollen and honey in the hexagonal cells of their honey combs ©Susan Johnson 2007 A honey comb

10. Nectar and pollen Pollen is the protein in a bee’s diet and nectar is the carbohydrate Bees use nectar to make honey Bees and their larvae feed on nectar, honey and pollen Bees store pollen under a layer of honey so that they have food to survive the winter Beekeepers take honey but provide a sugar solution for the bees in winter Without bees to pollinate them, many plants would become extinct