Bumblebees Poke Leaves to Help Flowers Bloom Faster
May 27, 2020| |
Scientists from Switzerland's Department of Environmental Systems Sciences found bumblebee's secret to accelerating flower production when there is pollen shortage: bite the plant's leaves.
According to their research article in Science, three species of bumblebees use their mouthparts in a characteristic way to damage mustard and tomato leaves leading to earlier flowering by as much as 30 days. This behavior was more evident during irregular seasonal flowering. Bumblebees rely on flower protein as a major protein source for raising their young during early spring.
The researchers tried to replicate the technique by inducing damage to the leaves, but flowering time did not change. This suggests that the bees use a specific method in stimulating earlier flowering.
Read the report in Science.
| |
You might also like:
- Genetically Engineered Gut Bacteria Boost Honey Bees' Immunity, Limit Pathogens
- Scientists Develop New Approach to Protect Honey Bees
- Apple Protein MdY3IP1 Triggers Early-Flowering and Salt-Tolerance in Arabidopsis
Biotech Updates is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a not-for-profit organization. It is distributed for free to over 22,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in biotechnology. Your support will help us in our mission to feed the world with knowledge. You can help by donating as little as $10.
-
See more articles:
-
News from Around the World
- Study Puts End to Intense Scientific Debate on Peanut's Origin
- Survey Shows Most Australians Don't Know the Difference Between Bacterial and Viral Infections
- FSANZ Rules GM Potatoes Are Safe, Calls the Public to Comment
- Researchers Find Genes to Save Ash Trees from Deadly Beetles
- Genetic Discovery Explains Barley's Sodium Tolerance
- Bumblebees Poke Leaves to Help Flowers Bloom Faster
-
Research Highlights
- Protein Found to Switch on Part of Plant's Drought Defense
-
Plant
- Experts Identify Genome Editing and Other Innovations to Accelerate Food System Transition
-
Health
- First Human Trial of COVID-19 Vaccine Found Safe and Induces Rapid Immune Response
- Coronavirus Has Two Versions and One is Not More Harmful, Study Finds
-
Read the latest: - Biotech Updates (March 12, 2025)
- Gene Editing Supplement (March 12, 2025)
- Gene Drive Supplement (February 22, 2023)
-
Subscribe to BU: - Share
- Tweet