[drizabone]

When inspecting my broad beans for infestation v predators I noticed that each flower had a neat little hole in the top, I seem to remember something about bumble bees accessing the nectar this way, am I going barmy and does the nibbling effect the polination.

[Aunt Sally]

It does affect pollination as they don't go into the flower and pollinate it.  Other bees with longer tongues may also visit the flower though and pollinate it.

We've had a bit about it before:

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=4882.msg56159#msg56159

[drizabone]

Thanks Sal, checked out the link and confirms my theory and I thought bumbles were supposed to be benificial!!!