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I've been robbed! - Can changes in floral traits discourage bee pollination?
Camila Vaz de Souza1, Maíra Vidor Salvador2, Priscila Tunes1
1Graduation Program in Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Ecology and Evolution of Plant-Animal Interactions, Department of Botany, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.
Plos One
|November 22, 2019
Summary
Nectar robbers damage flowers but do not deter pollinating bees. Despite visual cues and nectar depletion, bee visitation to Jacaranda caroba remained unaffected, suggesting less antagonistic interactions than presumed.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Plant-pollinator interactions
- Chemical ecology
Background:
- Nectar robbers can alter floral signals, potentially impacting pollinator behavior and pollination success.
- Floral damage from nectar robbers may influence pollinator perception and visitation rates.
- Understanding these interactions is crucial for plant reproductive success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of nectar robbery on floral attractants (nectar and scent).
- To experimentally assess if visual signs of robbery deter bee pollinators.
- To evaluate the combined effects of visual robbery signs and nectar depletion on pollination.
Main Methods:
- Studied a Bignoniaceae species (Jacaranda caroba) and its nectar-robbing bee pollinator.
- Experimentally isolated nectar consumption and assessed floral scent emission.
- Evaluated the effect of visual signs (slits) and nectar depletion on bee pollination and pollen deposition.
Main Results:
- Nectar robbers visited approximately 75% of flowers, removing significant nectar.
- Floral damage (slits) did not affect floral scent emission.
- No significant differences in pollen deposition were found between robbed and control flowers, or between nectar-depleted and nectar-rich flowers.
Conclusions:
- Nectar robbers visually signal their presence but do not negatively affect pollinator visitation.
- Despite nectar depletion, bee pollinators were not deterred by visual robbery signs.
- Interactions between nectar robbers and pollinators may be less antagonistic than previously assumed.
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