Impatiens glandulifera

The Hymalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera, called in german Riesen-Springkraut) likes to grow along mountain torrents in rather wet soils. It is commonly seen as an invasive plant.
The flowers, pink, mauve or sometimes white, attract many insects. The flower geometry is rather complex and can be a real challenge.

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Pink, mauve or even white, those flowers have a big attraction power on insects, in particular on Hymenoptera.

The stamen (male organ of the flower) is placed above the main opening of the flower. Foraging insects must rub their back against it and carry pollen with them when going deeper in the flower or when visiting other flowers.

When brushing the pollen away, bumble bees project the pollen behind them.

Depending on the respective size of the bee and of the flower, one can observe rather funny behaviours.

Other bumble bee species seem to hesitate a little before going further inside the flower...

But the attraction of the flower and of its content is always stronger...

Honey bees also participate and follow their bumble bee cousins to forage pollen and nectar.

Because of their smaller size, they can sometimes use the side entrance to get out of the flower.

Other insects, in particular Diptera (flies), are also regular visitors of those feeding spots.

Like this Rhingia campestris, it seems that they are not so bold to get inside of the flower and they are often content with the pollen left behind at the entrance by other visitors...

Discretion is the better part of valour...

But the temptation can be stronger than prudency. Come what may...

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