Volume 177, June 2013, Pages 78–81
The effects of aluminum and nickel in nectar on the foraging behavior of bumblebees
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Biological Sciences, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
- Received 12 November 2012
- Revised 9 February 2013
- Accepted 11 February 2013
- Available online 6 March 2013
1. Introduction
2. Methods
3. Results and discussion
Acknowledgments
References
Abstract
Metals in soil are known to negatively affect the health of many groups of organisms, but it is unclear whether they can affect plant-pollinator interactions, and whether pollinators that visit plants growing on contaminated soils are at risk of ingesting potentially toxic resources. We address whether the presence of metals in nectar alters foraging behavior by bumblebees by manipulating nectar with one of two common soil contaminants (Al or Ni) in flowers of Impatiens capensis (Balsaminaceae). While the presence of Al in nectar did not influence foraging patterns by bumblebees, flowers containing Ni nectar solutions were visited for shorter time periods relative to controls, and discouraged bees from visiting nearby Ni-contaminated flowers. However, because bumblebees still visited these flowers, they likely ingested a potentially toxic resource. Our findings suggest that soil metals could cascade to negatively affect pollinators in metal contaminated environments.
Highlights
► We address whether metals in nectar alter foraging behavior by bumblebees. ► Al in nectar did not influence foraging patterns by bumblebees. ► Ni nectar solutions were visited for shorter time periods relative to controls. ► Ni nectar solutions discouraged bees from visiting nearby Ni-contaminated flowers. ► Our findings suggest soil metals could cascade to negatively affect pollinators.
Keywords
- Metals;
- Nectar chemistry;
- Pollinator behavior
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