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Snowdrop secrets

Galanthus nivalis nectar guides

Galanthus nivalis nectar guides

Taking a peek under the “skirts” of a snowdrop one will discover how this flower lures insects into fertilising it: the stripes, appropriately called nectar guides, lead them to the centre, where a nectar reward awaits. Fascinatingly, these marks and the entire flower are seen by an insect in a totally different way. Bees, for instance, are particularly sensitive to ultraviolet light, which our eyes cannot detect. Many flowers take advantage of this sensitivity by reflecting or absorbing UV light in order to attract them. If you would like to see how a snowdrop looks under UV light take a look at these photographs. You will be amazed!