The foraging behaviour of honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) on Brussels sprout (Brassica oleracea L.).

Published online
01 Jan 1975
Content type
Journal article
Journal title
Journal of Applied Ecology
DOI
10.2307/2402297

Author(s)
Free, J. B. & Williams, I. H.

Publication language
English
Location
UK

Abstract

Bees foraging for nectar on flowers of cultivars with deep corolla tubes and large floral parts found it difficult to reach the inner nectaries. They quickly learnt to rob flowers by inserting the tongue between the perianth segments to reach the outer nectaries. Robber bees were not very likely to pollinate these flowers. However, bees collecting nectar on cultivars with small flowers preferred to visit the inner nectaries via the mouth of the flower, and pollination was effected in the process.In an open plot of ten cultivars, different individual bees preferred different cultivars, and some showed considerable constancy to their preferred cultivar.P. Walker

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