Thursday 5 September 2013

Above: A bee about to feed on common toadflax in a local lane. The snapdragon-like plant is common throughout England but rarely seen in the Silsden area. The shape of the flower excludes many nectar-seeking insects. The mouth of the petal tube is closed by a fold of the lower lip, called the palate, and only heavy and skilful insects, such as bees, can depress the palate to gain access to the tube, which extends into a long spur as can be seen in the photograph.