Variation in nectar volume and composition of Impatiens capensis at the individual, plant, and population levels

Lanza, Janet; Smith, Garon C.; Sack, S.Senior; Cash, Andrew

doi:10.1007/bf00333318

Cited by 83 publications

(63 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Future work should investigate the effect of secondary metabolites on bee disease in the context of symbiont communities. Second, our experiments examined effects of single compounds at single concentrations, but concentrations in nectar are variable within and between plant populations [52], bees also consume compounds in pollen [10,11], and bumblebees may consume multiple secondary metabolites as larvae and adults [53]. Thus, the concentrations used in this study probably underestimate bees' actual exposure to plant chemicals.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Secondary metabolites in floral nectar reduce parasite infections in bumblebees

et al. 2015

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The synthesis of secondary metabolites is a hallmark of plant defence against herbivores. These compounds may be detrimental to consumers, but can also protect herbivores against parasites. Floral nectar commonly contains secondary metabolites, but little is known about the impacts of nectar chemistry on pollinators, including bees. We hypothesized that nectar secondary metabolites could reduce bee parasite infection. We inoculated individual bumblebees with Crithidia bombi, an intestinal parasite, and tested effects of eight naturally occurring nectar chemicals on parasite population growth. Secondary metabolites strongly reduced parasite load, with significant effects of alkaloids, terpenoids and iridoid glycosides ranging from 61 to 81%. Using microcolonies, we also investigated costs and benefits of consuming anabasine, the compound with the strongest effect on parasites, in infected and uninfected bees. Anabasine increased time to egg laying, and Crithidia reduced bee survival. However, anabasine consumption did not mitigate the negative effects of Crithidia, and Crithidia infection did not alter anabasine consumption. Our novel results highlight that although secondary metabolites may not rescue survival in infected bees, they may play a vital role in mediating Crithidia transmission within and between colonies by reducing Crithidia infection intensities.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Secondary metabolites in floral nectar reduce parasite infections in bumblebees

et al. 2015

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“…However, moderately reduced nectar volumes at HO-4 may have decreased the visiting time per flower by B. ardens. In general, larger amounts of nectar result in longer visits by pollinators, and longer visits result in larger depositions of pollen (Thomson and Plowright 1980, Feinsinger 1983, Lanza et al 1995. Therefore, moderate levels of nectar robbing by B. terrestris may not deter visitation by B. ardens but may instead decrease the quality of pollination service, resulting in lower seed sets.…”

Section: Mechanisms Of Reductions In Seed Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alien Bumble Bee Affects Native Plant Reproduction Through Interactions With Native Bumble Bees

Dohzono

Kunitake

Yokoyama

et al. 2008

Ecology

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Abstract. The invasive alien bumble bee Bombus terrestris may hinder the reproduction of native plants that have established specialized pollination systems with native bumble bees. To test this hypothesis, we examined the visitation frequency and behavior of native and alien bumble bee species and resultant seed production in Corydalis ambigua, a native plant in Hokkaido, Japan. This species is self-incompatible: the flower has a spur and requires visitation by bumble bees for effective seed production. We compared visitation frequency as well as fruit and seed set after cross-and open pollination at five sites of C. ambigua. Four of these sites occurred near a residential district and included naturalized populations of B. terrestris, and the fifth site was located in a forested habitat with no B. terrestris. The native species B. ardens and B. hypocrita and the alien B. terrestris frequently visited C. ambigua. Bombus ardens legitimately consumed nectar, whereas B. hypocrita and B. terrestris rob nectar by perforating spurs. The legitimate pollinator B. ardens produced fruits and seeds more efficiently than the nectar robbers. At three sites, the proportion of robbed flowers per inflorescence gradually increased through the flowering period, which may be caused by the intrusion of alien B. terrestris into the native plant-pollinator interactions. At these sites, C. ambigua suffered from pollen limitation, as seed production from open pollination was lower than from cross-pollination, despite the fact that the total abundance of three bumble bees was higher than in the other two sites. Legitimate B. ardens visited fewer flowers within inflorescences with more robbed flowers, suggesting that nectar robbing may reduce the frequency of visitations by B. ardens within inflorescences, and resulting in decreased fruit set. Furthermore, reduced seed set implies a reduction in the pollination quality by B. ardens, probably due to decreases in visiting time per flower. Thus, introduction of alien B. terrestris may alter the native plant-pollinator mutualism: C. ambigua could establish a novel pollination relationship with B. terrestris because of its nonzero pollination efficiency, similar to the native robber B. hypocrita.

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“…Also production of nectar by the target crop facilitates maintenance of the pollinating colonies. The volume and sugar concentration of nectar vary among plant species (Lanza et al 1995) and different varieties of the same species may also differ greatly in nectar sugar concentration (Free 1993).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nectar and pollen production in pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.)

Vidal¹,

Jong²,

Wien³

et al. 2006

Rev. bras. Bot.

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-(Nectar and pollen production in pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.)). Cucurbitaceae species depend on pollination by honey bees for fruit production. The overall objective of this work was to evaluate the potential of C. pepo for pollen and nectar production, that could help maintain colonies placed in the field. Plants of pumpkin were cultivated in field, in 1996 and 1997. Before anthesis, male flowers were covered to prevent visits by bees and other insects. After anthesis the flowers were uncovered and the following parameters were evaluated: 1) nectar production; 2) total sugar concentration in the nectar; 3) nectar replacement; and 4) production of pollen and flowers during the crop cycle. Nectar production varied from 18 to 79 µL flower -1 and increased progressively from 7h to 13h. The sugar concentration, measured at 7h, 9h and 11h, did not vary, averaging 50.5% ± 0.5% in 1996 and 40.5% ± 0.6% in 1997. At 13h the concentration decreased to 42% in 1996 and to 35% in 1997. Total daily nectar production was not influenced by removing nectar several times per day, indicating that nectar secretion is not stimulated or inhibited by frequent removal. The number of pollen grains did not differ in the two years, with an average of 43,669 ± 1,382 grains per flower. The peak rate of male and female flowers occurred from 60 to 66 days after planting (DAP) with 34.6 male flowers and 2.2 female flowers per plant, respectively. Cucurbita pepo has a potential for honey and pollen production of about 105 and 160 kg per hectare per season, respectively, which is enough to sustain, at least, five honeybee colonies.Key words -flower production, honey potential, nectar production, pollen production, sugar concentration RESUMO -(Produção de néctar e pólen em abóbora (Cucurbita pepo L.)). As espécies das cucurbitáceas dependem da polinização por abelhas para produzir frutos. O objetivo geral deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial da C. Pepo para produzir pólen e néctar, no sentido de ajudar a manter colônias no campo visando a polinização. Plantas de abóbora foram cultivadas no campo, em 1996 e 1997. Antes da antese, flores masculinas foram cobertas para prevenir visitas de abelhas e outros insetos. Depois da antese as flores foram desprotegidas e os seguintes parâmetros foram avaliados: 1) produção de néctar; 2) concentração total de açúcar no néctar; 3) reposição de néctar e 4) produção de pólen e flores durante o ciclo da cultura. A produção de néctar variou de 18 a 79 µL flor -1 e aumentou progressivamente de 7h00 para 13h00. A concentração de açúcares, avaliada às 7h00, 9h00 e 11h00, não variou, apresentando uma média de 50,5% ± 0,5% em 1996 e 40,5% ± 0,6% em 1997. Às 13h00 a concentração decresceu para 42% em 1996 e para 35% em 1997. A produção diária de néctar não foi influenciada pela remoção do néctar em diferentes horas do dia, indicando que a produção de néctar não é estimulada ou inibida pela freqüente remoção. O número de grãos de pólen não variou nos dois anos, com uma média de 43.669 ± 1.382 grãos por flor. O...

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Variation in nectar volume and composition of Impatiens capensis at the individual, plant, and population levels

Cited by 83 publications

References 34 publications

Secondary metabolites in floral nectar reduce parasite infections in bumblebees

Secondary metabolites in floral nectar reduce parasite infections in bumblebees

Alien Bumble Bee Affects Native Plant Reproduction Through Interactions With Native Bumble Bees

Nectar and pollen production in pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.)

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