Story: Wasps and bees

Pollinating mistletoe

In this video a native Leioproctus bee is opening a Peraxilla tetrapetala mistletoe bud. It bites the tip of the bud, causing the flower to spring open and expose its pollen and nectar, both of which the bee collects. The main pollinators of mistletoe are bellbirds and tūī, but in some places introduced pests have reduced their numbers. These bees are important for the survival of the mistletoe.

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University of Canterbury
Reference: Professor Dave Kelly

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How to cite this page:

John Early, 'Wasps and bees - Native bees', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/video/11156/pollinating-mistletoe (accessed 19 March 2024)

Story by John Early, published 24 Sep 2007