Flowers and bumblebees

Of the world's 250 bumblebee species, a total of 35 are registered in Norway. Bumblebees are our most effective pollinators. Pollinators are insects that fly from flower to flower to find food and are covered by pollen in the process. When moving on to another flower to feed, they carry along some of the pollen, and so the flowers are fertilized. Without this bumblebee action – no blueberries. The blueberry flowers cannot develop into blueberries if they are not fertilized, and blueberries are only pollinated by bumble bees! These berries are very important in Norwegian cooking, especially for making jams and juices. Many animals also rely on blueberries for food, including the bear. The monkshood bumblebee is attracted to the nectar in the flowers of the northern wolfsbane, which in local dialect is called lushatt, meaning 'louse hat'. In order to reach the sweet nectar deep inside the bell-shaped northern wolfsbane flower, the monkshood bumblebee has developed an exceptionally long tongue. There are no other bumblebees adapted to this challenge. This survival and reproduction enhancing trait however makes it difficult for the monkshood bumblebee to retrieve nectar from other flowers. Imagine trying to drink juice from a glass through a straw that is as long as you are tall!