Bumblebee Behavior on Flowers, but Not Initial Attraction, Is Altered by Short-Term Drought Stress.

ABSTRACT: Climate change is leading to increasing drought and higher temperatures, both of which reduce soil water levels and consequently water availability for plants. This reduction often induces physiological stress in plants, which in turn can affect floral development and production inducing phenotypic alterations in flowers. Because flower visitors notice and respond to small differences in floral phenotypes, changes in trait expression can alter trait-mediated flower visitor behavior. Temperature is also known to affect floral scent emission and foraging behavior and, therefore, might modulate trait-mediated flower visitor behavior. However, the link between changes in flower visitor behavior and floral traits in the context of increasing drought and temperature is still not fully understood

SUBMITTER: Hofer RJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7838097 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature