Bees sniff out floral fraud

Nectar producing plants beware - when it comes to spotting a fraud, bees have a nose second to none.

If it doesn’t smell right – then it probably isn’t right. Bees can sniff out a floral fraud

New research has shown bees quickly learn which flowers produce the best nectar by the way they smell, even when they smell extremely similar.
"Our research shows that because bees can learn about the signals associated with nectar quality they have the means of avoiding floral cheaters', preferring instead  to visit the floral scents they've learned to associate with profitable rewards," said biologist Dr Geraldine Wright of Newcastle University.

Flowers use scent signals, as well as colours and shapes, to remind bees of the treats they have in store. But some plants try to cheat the system, using these same cues to falsely advertise poor quality nectar or even none at all. Now scientists know that bees can outsmart flowers which might be trying to cheat them out of their dinner, and instead visit the ones they know will offer the best rewards.

Producing nectar is a costly business for plants but helps them attract insects such as bees which can carry out cross pollination a crucial part of plant reproduction. Some plants try to cheat the system by producing low grade nectar, and advertising with attractive smells. By learning which smells lead to the sweetest rewards, honeybees can outsmart potential cheating' flowers which may be touting low quality nectar.

"This is extremely important to plants because it affects whether or not bees visit them and, therefore, whether or not plants sexually reproduce," said Wright.
“What's more, bees' ability to learn could be a driving force behind how the smell of flowers evolves. It forces flowering plants to be honest about the rewards they advertise and may even select for plants both with scented flowers and with high quality flowers because these plants out-compete others in a floral market place."