Flower Size Preferences of the Honeybee (Apis mellifera) Foraging on Mimulus guttatus (Scrophulariaceae)

Date

2004-01

Authors

Martin, Noland H.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Evolutionary Ecology

Abstract

For pollinators to exert selection on floral traits, they must be able to detect and respond to differences in floral morphologies. I examined foraging preferences by the bee Apis mellifera (Apidae) visiting naturally occurring flowers of Mimulus guttatus (Scrophulariaceae). The results indicate that A. mellifera preferentially selects larger M. guttatus flowers in their foraging bouts. Since differences in flower size in M. guttatus have previously been shown to have a significant heritable component, I suggest that A. mellifera has the potential to be an important selective force in the floral morphology of M. guttatus.

Description

Keywords

Apis mellifera, flower size, mimulus guttatus, pollination biology, pollinator choice, honeybee, monkeyflower, natural selection, evolution

Citation

Martin, N. H. (2004). Flower size preferences of the honeybee (Apis mellifera) foraging on Mimulus guttatus (Scrophulariaceae). Evolutionary Ecology Research, 6, pp. 777-782.

Rights

Rights Holder

© 2004 Noland H. Martin

Rights License

Rights URI