Sunday, November 15, 2009

Bee and wasp -- fighting it out in pistil dual


Our protagonist on the right, the bee.  Was enjoying his romp in the pollen on this afternoon where I just happened to be shooting a picture of this flower.   It was only seconds later that our antagonist, the wasp on the right, flitted into this pollen patch.  Both the bee (on the right)  and the wasp (on the left), kept their distance and didn't seem too distracted with having to share their nectar neighborhood.  But soon, the bee got jealous and buzzed a little to close to the wasp's side. 

That's when the pistil fight commenced --each making menacing passes at each others' stamens.   The wasp's jabs were obvious more threatening and the bee eventually backed off -- remembering that discretion is the better part of valor. He zoomed off to another flower in the neighborhood where he quickly took back up the task of pollen powdering in pursuit of nectar.

--steve buser

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4 comments:

Pat said...

Big bully, that wasp. This duel must have been something to see first-hand, but your photo tells the story quite well.

Halcyon said...

Wonderful macro shot!

Are you back in the big easy? We're coming down for Thanksgiving at my Auntie's. I'm really looking forward to a traditional Nola feast.

Ms M said...

Oh, good catch!

Wanda said...

Not only is your photo exquisite, but your narative is just as wonderful....

I was in Lousiana (Sheveport) last week while visiting friends in Tyler Texas. Didn't realize at the time I was in your State!!!