Natural History Wanderings

The New York Times reports

They may buzz during courtship, or out of alarm if they are caught or trapped. Another reason is to collect pollen. Some flowering plants hide their pollen in structures called anthers, and to get it, bumble bees (and other bees) bite the anthers and then hang on and buzz until the vibration causes the anther to spill out a shower of pollen.

Read full story about  bee buzzing research along with an excellent close-up video of bees at work at  Bees Buzz for Their Supper – The New York Times