Mutualistic Relationship

Mutualism is the relationship in which both species involved benefit from the association. The mutualistic relationship being displayed is between a honey bee (Apis) and a flower. The bees take the nectar back to their hive to be converted into honey to feed the evolving larvae. As a result of landing on the flower, the pollen from landing on the stigma gets stuck to the legs of the bee. When the bee flies from flower to flower, the pollen is transported with them. It falls off the legs of the bee, and lands on the stigma of the flower it has landed on. This allows it to reproduce asexually. The bee benefits because it is receiving the nectar, while the flower benefits because they are being pollinated.