Bees can detect and distinguish electrical signals from flowers

(flowerpots) - The communication methods of flowers are as complex as any of the inventions presented in an advertising strategy, according to a new study published Feb. 21 in Science magazine. Express by researchers from Bristol University.

However, for any ad to be successful, it must be approached and felt by its target audience. The first study showed that pollinators such as bumblebees can find and distinguish electrical signals emitted by flowers.

The flowers often produce colors, bright, brilliant petals and attractive smells to attract insects to pollinate them. Researchers at Bristol's School of Biological Sciences, led by Professor Daniel Robert, discovered that the flowers were similar in nature to a advertising neon lamp - the petals of the believers Electric signals can convey information to insect pollination. These electrical signals can work in coordination with other flower's attracting signals and enhance the advertising power for itself.

Plants often passively and emit a weak electric field. On their side, bees gain a positive charge when they fly through the air. No electricity is generated when an electrically charged bee approaches an charged flower, but a small electric force accumulates to convey information.

By placing electrodes in the flower stalk, the researchers showed that when a bee landed, the flower's voltage changed and remained for several minutes. Is this the way the flowers remind bees that it has just been visited by a bee? To their surprise, the researchers discovered that bumblebees could detect and distinguish between the electric fields of different flowers.

In addition, the researchers found that when bees were tested, they were faster when learning the difference between the two colors when electrical signals were present.

How did bees then detect electric fields? This is still a mystery, although researchers speculate that it is possible to have bumblebees with feathers stand up to the electrostatic force, like a person's hair when standing in front of a curtain. old TV picture.

The discovery of such an ability to detect electricity opens up a whole new understanding of the insect's cognitive ability and flower communication.

Dr. Heather Whitney, a co-author of the study, said: "This incredible communication channel reveals how flowers can inform their pollinators the true state of precious honey and attend. their chalk '.

Professor Robert said: "The last thing is a flower that wants to attract a bee and then does not provide nectar: ​​a lesson in honest advertising since bees are good learners and will soon lose their interested in a flower is not worthy of that ".

"The development of cooperation between flowers and bees has a long and beneficial history, so perhaps it is not surprising that we are still exploring sophisticated communication between them." Rescue is supported by Leverhulme Foundation.