Raising the sugar content--orchid bees overcome the constraints of suction feeding through manipulation of nectar and pollen provisions.

ABSTRACT: Unlike most other bees, the long-tongued orchid bees ingest nectar using suction feeding. Although long tongues allow exploitation of flowers with deep spurs, the energy intake rate is optimal at 10-20% lower nectar sugar concentrations compared to that of lapping bees. This constraint might be compensated by a higher digestive throughput. Additionally, orchid bees might evaporate water from regurgitated droplets of crop contents. We found male Euglossa championi (n = 10) and Euglossa dodsoni (n = 12) to regularly regurgitate droplets of crop content to the base of their proboscis, generating a fluid film between the proximal parts of the galeae, glossa and labial palps. Rhythmic movements of the proboscis may help to increase convection. There was a significant change in sugar concentrati

SUBMITTER: Pokorny T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4244122 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature