Flower breached by cheating insects, nectar "stolen." Dutchman's breeches flowers are hard to penetrate, legitimate take of nectar that involves pollination to be accomplished in April by such mighty insects as bumblebee or bee queens emerging upon overwintering and providing food for their workers. Among bees, only the queen has enough strength and the tongue long enough to pry open the petals and reach to the nectar. As pollination by a queen is rare event, the flower is also capable of self-pollination. Smaller insects such as worker bees may "steal" the unused nectar, making holes in the spurs.