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Are nectar-robbers mutualists or antagonists?

Sarah C Richardson¹

¹Indiana University, Department of Biology, Jordan Hall 015, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA. srichard@bio.indiana.edu

|February 10, 2004

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Nectar-robbing bees, while taking nectar, can surprisingly benefit desert willow (Chilopsis linearis) by increasing pollen dispersal. This study found robbers did not harm female reproductive success and sometimes aided male reproductive success.

Area of Science:

Ecology
Plant-pollinator interactions
Mutualism

Background:

Nectar robbers exploit plant-pollinator mutualisms by consuming nectar without pollinating.
The impact of nectar robbing on plant reproductive success is variable, with potential for both costs and benefits.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the direct effects of nectar-robber bees (Xylocopa californica) on floral rewards and pollinator behavior.
To determine the indirect effects of nectar robbing on the reproductive success of desert willow (Chilopsis linearis).

Main Methods:

Quantified nectar volumes in robbed versus unrobbed flowers.
Observed behavior of honeybees (Apis mellifera) and bumblebees (Bombus sonorus) on robbed and unrobbed flowers.
Used a pollen mimic to track dispersal and measured fruit set and pollen tube growth.

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Main Results:

Nectar robbers reduced nectar volume but did not eliminate nectar presence.
Effective pollinators (bumblebees) did not avoid robbed flowers, while ineffective pollinators (honeybees) did.
Pollen mimic dispersal was sometimes enhanced from robbed flowers, suggesting increased male reproductive success.
Female reproductive success (fruit set, pollen tube growth) was unaffected by nectar robbing.

Conclusions:

Nectar robbers did not negatively impact the female reproductive success of desert willow.
Nectar robbing can sometimes benefit plants by increasing pollen dispersal and male reproductive success.
The net effect of nectar robbers on plants depends on the prevalence of robbing and the abundance of effective pollinators.