By
Ben Aviss, Reporter, BBC Nature
Bumblebees
(Bombus terrestris) can detect
flowers' electric fields, scientists have discovered.
Results
indicate floral electric fields improve the bees' ability to discriminate
between different flowers.
When
used with visual signals, electrical cues can enhance the bee's memory of
floral rewards.
Researchers
suggest this method of signalling provides rapid and dynamic communication
between plants and pollinators.
The
findings are published in the online journal Science Express.
Flowering
plants reward pollinators with nectar and pollen in return for their assistance
in the flowers' sexual reproduction.
Flowers
attract pollinators using cues such as bright colours, patterns and enticing
fragrances but this study suggests the importance of electrostatic information
as an additional cue for the first time.
"Of
course it has existed for a long time but this is a new way we can look at the
interactions between bees and flowers," said Prof Daniel Robert of the
University of Bristol.
Continued: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/21508035
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