Nature is full of wonderful interactions between plants and animals, and one of the most fascinating examples is the relationship between the Great Centaury (Centaurea scabiosa) and bumblebees.

Great Centaury

The Great Centaury, also known as knapweed, is a distinctive wild flower that is common in Europe. This plant can be up to one meter tall and blooms from June to September with beautiful purple flowers that look like small, shaggy brushes. Great Centaury prefers to grow on sunny, calcareous soil and is often found in roadsides, grasslands and along roads. The flowers are an important nectar source for a variety of animals, especially pollinators.

Photo by Olli Kilpi on Unsplash

Bumblebees

Bumblebees are one of the most frequent visitors to the Great Centaury. They are excellent pollinators and are attracted to the abundant nectar that the flowers produce. Some specific species of bumblebees that you can often see on the Great Centaury include the earth bumblebee (Bombus terrestris), the field bumblebee (Bombus pascuorum), the field bumblebee (Bombus pratorum) and the tree bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum). Bumblebees are particularly effective pollinators because of their ability to work in colder and wetter conditions than other bees. They can also collect larger amounts of pollen and nectar thanks to their robust build.

Nectar and pollen

The flowers of the Great Centaury produce nectar, a sweet liquid that attracts bumblebees. The bumblebees use this nectar as a food source. After all, nectar provides essential energy for the bumblebees, especially during the breeding season when the queen and workers work hard to maintain the colony.

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