Potential use of floral nectar sugar characteristics in plant selection for pollinator habitats

The use of urban green spaces, including gardens, in pollinator conservation initiatives, excites significant public interest but advice on effective plants frequently relies qualitative data. This study considered responses to specific nectar sugar characteristics determine if they offer the potential for selection candidate plants. Pollinator feeding 60 plant species at National Botanic Garden Wales was related their investigate response consistency different taxonomic levels. frequency Hymenoptera, particularly social significantly correlated with volume offered by flowers, greater differentiation between occurred when were considered. Feeding hexose monosaccharides glucose or fructose Hymenoptera (and two genera analysed individually, Apis spp. Bombus spp.), not non-social species. Similarly, visits percentage and groups (including three individual tested (Apis spp., primitively eusocial Lasioglossum, Andrena spp.). Fewer less consistent outcomes recorded (disaccharide) sucrose content investigated. In comparative analyses conducted other (Diptera Lepidoptera), only found be content. are a particular focus gardeners is discussed as component screening approach identify keystone