Lavender is a popular ornamental near tall buildings. It is robust and can fill substantial spaces with waves of tall purple stalks. Like many of the mints, Lavender produces substantial amounts of nectar to attract pollinators, especially hymenoptera such as bumblebees, honey bees and other bees. I have noted a substantial number of carpenter bees foraging on lavender plantings near a nesting site. Large lavender plantings are good sites to observe foraging behavior of bees.
The male carpenter bee (below) was collecting nectar from the lavender, flitting from flower to flower. Carpenter bees are strong fliers and capable of hovering. As the carpenter bee approaches the flower, its forward progress slows to slightly more than a hover and its legs extend away from its body. The bee is able to delicately land on the flower and gain traction with its legs. The legs bend to absorb some of the force of landing. A too fast approach would cause the flower to move away from the bee making it difficult to land.
Male Carpenter Bee Landing on a Flower
I never knew that bee’s had a special landing method. It’s interesting that they sort of land similar to helicopters. It makes you wonder if maybe they’re related somehow.
Unlikely that they are related. Helicopters were developed by watching seeds that have helicopter properties.