Elucidating the influence of a nectar yeast and nectar robbing on bumblebee foraging tactic constancy
Abstract
Animal pollination services are vital for plant reproduction, with approximately 90% of plant species benefitting from this mutualistic relationship. Nectar is one of the most common floral rewards offered by plants in exchange for pollination services. Similarly, nectar is vital for bumbles as they consume it for flight fuel and nourishment for larvae and their colonies. However, not all floral visitors are pollinators. A forager may choose to forage legitimately (pollinate) or may choose to forage illegitimately (nectar rob). Nectar robbers bypass anthers at the floral opening and collect nectar by chewing a hole on the nectar spur or finding a pre-existing hole. Nevertheless, it has been shown that foraging patterns can be influenced by microbial presence and community structure implying that the presence of nectar inhabiting microbes (NIMs) can influence floral visitors’ behavior. We investigate how Metschnikowia reukaufii plays a role within this relationship, looking to further understand how NIMs may affect quality and signal of floral rewards. By manipulating the presence of M. reukaufii in the nectar of flowers of Corydalis caseana, we can observe the foraging patterns of bumblebees which can facultatively act as both legitimate pollinators and secondary robbers and are therefore capable of tactic switching. This research will elucidate the influence, if any, of NIMs on bumblebee’s foraging strategies which may disrupt pollination services by promoting floral larceny.
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References (19)
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