Pollinators Send Out Good Vibrations — and Plants Respond Sweetly

Pollinators send out good vibrations — and plants respond sweetly

The buzz of an approaching bee or wasp spurs many people to flee. Some plants respond to “hearing” insects, too. One common garden bloom can tell the difference between the buzz of friends and foes — and change the recipe of its nectar in response. That’s the new finding of the “good vibes” project conducted by researchers in Italy, Spain and Australia. Snapdragons sweeten their nectar when a pollinator’s buzz fills the air. But if the neighborh…

Pollinators Create Positive Vibrations, Prompting Sweet Responses from Plants

The rise of buzzing bees and hornets prompts many to flee. Interestingly, some plants have a way of responding to these sounds. A well-known garden flower can differentiate between the buzz of helpful pollinators and that of nectar thieves, adjusting its nectar composition accordingly. This fascinating finding emerges from the “good atmosphere” project conducted by [...] The post Pollinators Create Positive Vibrations, Prompting Sweet Responses …