Bees can sense electric charge from flowers

Summary: Researchers from the University of Bristol have discovered that electric fields attract bees to flowers and help them remember their previous stops. Previously, scientists had known of features such as vibrant colors, patterns, smells, UV light, and petal temperature, shape, and texture that promote pollination. Electric fields are just another way flowers advertise themselves. Bees can remember flowers they've already visited by their electric fields, which allows the bee to not waste time figuring out which flower it has already been to, and it can use its time more efficiently. The flowers also benefit, because they get pollinated faster. Flowers have a negative charge compared to the surrounding air, and bees become positively charged from flying through the air and rubbing its appendages against itself. In an experiment conducted by the researchers, bees were released among fake flowers. Half of the flowers contained sugar water, and half contained quinine (a substance that bees hate). When the fake flowers were given a small electric charge, the bees quickly learned which flowers had sugar water. However, when the charge was turned off, the bees went back to randomly tasting flowers. In addition to this, the scientists also discovered that the plant's electric field is charged by the arrival of the bee, and remains charged for about a minute and a half afterwards. This lets other bees know that the flower has no nectar, and that there is no point in landing.

Connection: We are currently learning about plants, angiosperms (flowering plants), and the structures of flowers. This article shows some additional adaptations that promote pollination. Also, we have previously learned about symbiotic relationships, and this is a classic example of a mutualistic relationship.

http://www.npr.org/2013/02/22/172611866/honey-its-electric-bees-sense-charge-on-flowers
By Adam Cole on February 22, 2013