Bees and Flowers Communicate Using Electrical Fields
Activist PostFlowers' methods of communicating are at least as sophisticated as any
devised by an advertising agency, according to a new study, published
today in
Science Express by researchers from the University of
Bristol. However, for any advert to be successful, it has to reach, and
be perceived by, its target audience. The research shows for the first
time that pollinators such as bumblebees are able to find and
distinguish electric signals given out by flowers.
Flowers often produce bright colours, patterns and enticing fragrances to attract their pollinators. Researchers at Bristol's
School of Biological Sciences,
led by Professor Daniel Robert, found that flowers also have their
equivalent of a neon sign – patterns of electrical signals that can
communicate information to the insect pollinator. These electrical
signals can work in concert with the flower’s other attractive signals
and enhance floral advertising power.
Plants are usually charged negatively and emit weak electric fields. On
their side, bees acquire a positive charge as they fly through the air.
No spark is produced as a charged bee approaches a charged flower, but
a small electric force builds up that can potentially convey
information.
By placing electrodes in the stems of petunias, the
researchers showed that when a bee lands, the flower’s potential changes
and remains so for several minutes. Could this be a way by which
flowers tell bees another bee has recently been visiting? To their
surprise, the researchers discovered that bumblebees can detect and
distinguish between different floral electric fields.
Also, the researchers found that when bees were given a learning test,
they were faster at learning the difference between two colours when
electric signals were also available.
How then do bees detect electric fields? This is not yet known,
although the researchers speculate that hairy bumblebees bristle up
under the electrostatic force, just like one’s hair in front of an old
television screen.
Source:-
http://www.activistpost.com/2013/02/bees-and-flowers-communicate-using.html