Flowers make nectar to attract competent pollinators, but  the strategy falls short when nectar thieves cut into the flowers and bypass the pollen. Here, a Trigona stingless bee robs nectar from a bird of paradise flower.

Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
In warmer climates, honey bees (Apis mellifera) will sometimes construct their nests out in the open.  

Davis, California, USA
Apis mellifera - Honey bee. Melbourne, Australia.

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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013