- Harebells, foto fitis, sytske dijksen
Bellflower family
The species of bellflowers found in the Netherlands vary in color from reddish purple to blue. White is uncommon. Such lovely flowers tempt one to pick them, which is why all bellflowers are protected. Bees in particular like to visit bellflowers. There are even special 'bellflower bees'. They are particularly attracted to the pollen, but if the flower is hanging down, they will also use it to sleep in or escape the rain.
On Texel
The solitary bee Melitta haemorrhoidalis is dependent upon pollen from bellflower species. There is a population of this species living on Texel which has been isolated from eastern Dutch populations for probably six thousand years. The larva only feed upon the pollen from bellflowers. Even though bellflower species such as harebells and sheep's bits may flower abundantly on Texel, this doesn't always mean there are a lot of Melitta haemorrhoidalis species around.
See also
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