A review of the methods for storing floral nectars in the field

Amato, Bianca; Petit, Sophie

doi:10.1111/plb.12565

Cited by 10 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 107 publications

(106 reference statements)

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“…Insufficient description of methodology is an important problem, since it makes the given study doubtful, and its reproducibility impossible (Moretti et al 2017). Furthermore, such publications are mostly inappropriate to be included in meta-analyses (Mortelliti et al 2010;Szigeti et al 2016;Amato and Petit 2017). Hence, we emphasise that well-planed methodology and detailed descriptions of the applied methods are essential for accurate conclusions.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measuring proboscis length in Lepidoptera: a review

2020

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Mouthpart morphologies relate to diet range. Differences among or within species may result in resource partitioning and speciation. In plant-pollinator interactions, mouthpart length has an important role in foraging efficiency, resource partitioning and pollination, hence measuring nectarivorous insect mouthparts’ morphological variation is important. Most adult lepidopterans feed on nectars and participate in pollination. Although a vast range of studies applied morphometric measurements on lepidopteran proboscis (tongue) length, general recommendations on methodologies are scarce. We review available proboscis length measurement methodologies for Lepidoptera. Focusing on how proboscides have been measured, how accurate the measurements were, and how were these constrained by sampling effort, we searched for research articles investigating lepidopteran proboscis length and extracted variables on the aims of measurements, preparation and measurement methodology, and descriptive statistics. Different methods were used both for preparation and measurements. Many of the 135 reviewed papers did not provide descriptions of the procedures applied. Research aims were different among studies. Forty-four percent of the studies measured dead specimens, 13% measured living specimens, and 43% were unclear. Fifteen percent of the studies used callipers, 9% rulers, 1% millimetre scales, 4% ocular micrometers, 3% drawings and 14% photographs; 55% were non-informative. We emphasise the importance to provide detailed descriptions on the methods applied. Providing guidelines for future sampling and measurements, we encourage fellow researchers planning measurements to take into account the effect of specimen preparation techniques on the results, define landmarks, consider resolution, accuracy, precision, choose an appropriate sample size and report details on methodology.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measuring proboscis length in Lepidoptera: a review

2020

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“…According to Amato & Petit (), the development of inexpensive and efficient methods is imperative to maximize accuracy of sugar measurements. The simplicity of operation, the reduced cost and the intrinsic ruggedness of the fiber‐optic refractometer method make it a likely candidate to supercede the light refractometer method.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fiber‐optic refractometer for in vivo sugar concentration measurements of low‐nectar‐producing flowers

Aronne

Malara

2019

New Phytologist

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Summary Sugar concentration in floral nectars is an assessment required in several diverse fields of application. The widely used analysis, consisting of nectar extraction with a microcapillary and sugar concentration measurement with a light refractometer, is not reliable when the nectar is secreted in small quantities, unextractable with a microcapillary. Ancillary methods adopted in such cases are destructive, rather complicated and often provide much less precise and accurate results. The microscopic‐size, low cost and biocompatibility of optical fibers were exploited to deliver light directly inside the flower with minimal invasiveness and measure instantaneously the refractometric properties of the nectar without extracting it. After comparing the new and old methods using two known nectariferous species, the new approach was validated on Primula palinuri, whose nectar is unextractable with microcapillaries. The fiber‐optic probe was able to measure the nectar refractive index in P. palinuri flowers making it possible to highlight a previously undetected significant trend of the sugar concentration throughout the long anthesis of the single flowers. Changes in nectar concentrations are similar in both longistylous and brevistylous flowers. The fiber‐optic refractometer is an advancement of light refractometer analysis. Further customization of the laboratory set‐up into portable equipment will boost applications.

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“…Nectar collection can be an arduous process, since many plants produce small (fractions of microliters) and intermittent nectar crops. The relevant biomolecules present in nectar samples are susceptible to abiotic degradation post-collection even when frozen, according to some reports (41,42). The small scale of nectar also poses a challenge for detection.…”

Section: Quantitative Unbiased Chemical Assessment: the Need And Unatmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantitative Assessment of Nectar Microbe-Produced Volatiles

Rering

Beck

Vannette

et al. 2018

ACS Symposium Series

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Nectar microbe-produced volatiles can contribute to floral blends and modify pollinator preference for flowers. Identifying and describing the compounds that may underlie this effect is a key goal. Semi-quantitative or quantitative data is often critical for chemical ecology investigations, given that biotic responses (i.e., insects or plants) can fluctuate with concentration, relative ratios, or composition of the emitted volatile profiles. However, field-based, in situ microbial volatile detection and quantification is difficult due to the small scale of the nectar microhabitat. Laboratory-based inoculations of bulk synthetic nectars are useful for screening weakly-abundant and difficult to analyze volatiles, which may be crucial in eliciting responses. Despite the limitations of this approach, it allows rapid identification of target molecules for further validation with bioassays. Targeted analytical methods to identify or quantify semiochemicals may then be developed and validated for field tests. Here, we report the first quantitative assessment of microbe volatile emission in laboratory-based tests with synthetic nectar. We also review briefly solid-phase microextraction collection and gas-chromatography data interpretation. Nectar microbe interactions with plants and insects offer opportunities for agricultural improvement, and a selection of potential uses are highlighted.

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A review of the methods for storing floral nectars in the field

Cited by 10 publications

References 107 publications

Measuring proboscis length in Lepidoptera: a review

Measuring proboscis length in Lepidoptera: a review

Fiber‐optic refractometer for in vivo sugar concentration measurements of low‐nectar‐producing flowers

Quantitative Assessment of Nectar Microbe-Produced Volatiles

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