This paper describes a simple model intended as a first step towards a quantitative theory of the flower. It divides both flowers and their visitors into two categories: the flowers may either produce a substantial volume of nectar ("secretors") or none ("cheaters"), while the insects either attempt to discriminate between them and enter only secretors ("selectors") or enter any flower encounte...

Floral herbivory may have deleterious effects on the reproductive success of flowering plants. However, plants may evolve floral traits that allow them to defend against herbivory in particular conditions. A bumblebee-pollinated subalpine herb, Pedicularis rex (Orobanchaceae), endemic to southwest China, has cup-like bracts that fill with rainwater, which submerges its corolla tubes. We hypothe...

Avenues of water gain and loss in bees are examined here at two levels of organisation: the individual and the colony. Compared with the majority of terrestrial insects, bees have a high water turnover. This is due to their nectar diet and, in larger species, substantial metabolic water production during flight, counteracted by high evaporative and excretory losses. Water fluxes at the colony l...

We present the results of a combined experimental and theoretical investigation of the dynamics of drinking in ruby-throated hummingbirds. In vivo observations reveal elastocapillary deformation of the hummingbird's tongue and capillary suction along its length. By developing a theoretical model for the hummingbird's drinking process, we investigate how the elastocapillarity affects the energy ...

The interaction between flowers and insect pollinators is an important aspect of the reproductive mechanisms of many plant species. Several laboratory and field studies indicate that raising flower temperature above ambient can be an advantage in attracting pollinators. Here we demonstrate that this preference for warmer flowers is, in fact, context-dependent. Using an Australian native bee as ...

Abstract Nectar production may be a point of sensitivity that can help link primary and secondary trophic responses to climate shifts, is therefore important our understanding ecosystem responses. We evaluated the nectar response two widespread native forbs, Balsamorhiza sagittata Eriogonum umbellatum , experimental warming in high‐elevation sagebrush meadow Teton Range, WY, USA, over years, 20...

Monarch butterflies in eastern North America accumulate lipids during their fall migration to central Mexico, and use them as their energy source during a 5 month overwintering period. When and where along their migratory journey the butterflies accumulate these lipids has implications for the importance of fall nectar sources in North America. We analyzed the lipid content of 765 summer breedi...

Systemic insecticides used for ornamental horticulture crops can protect all portions of a plant with long-lasting effects. However, they may be hazardous to pollinators foraging on contaminated nectar or pollen. Two model plant cultivars were chosen based upon their ability to produce large quantities of pollen or nectar, enabling examination of the level of nectar or pollen contamination (e.g...

Hihi (or stitchbird, Notiomystis cincta) is a rare honeyeater endemic to the North Island of New Zealand. Hihi were translocated from Little Barrier Island to Mokoia Island, Lake Rotorua, in 1994. Mokoia is a small (135 ha) island with secondary vegetation, so there was some doubt as to whether the island had sufficient diversity of fruit and nectar sources to support a hihi population. This pa...