You're enjoying a sunny spring afternoon when the familiar low buzz fills the air. Suddenly, you're alert and on guard against an enemy just under a half-inch long. You make a beeline toward your house, swatting the air, and hoping you don't get stung. Chances are good you're not thinking about this insect's crucial role in nature. Pollination refers to the transfer of pollen granules from flower to flower.
Plants rely on pollination to reproduce.
Bees and other insects play a crucial role in plant reproduction by transporting pollen. As an enticement to bees, plants secrete nectar, a sweet substance bees use as food. The pollen then rubs off as she flits from flower to flower. Workers also bring pollen back to the colony where it is used as food. As a result of pollination, the plant produces seeds, which then turn into fruits, vegetables, nuts, or flowers.