Plants ‘decide’ how sweet to make their nectar depending on which insect colonies they want to entice

‘A recent study by the University of Edinburgh, published in the journal Biotropica and funded by the National Autonomous University of Mexico, once again highlights the marvels of design in the natural world around us. The research team has discovered that certain flowering crops, including cotton, beans, pumpkins, courgettes, acacia honey and passion fruit, carefully control both the volume and sweetness of nectar on their flowers and leaves.
This perfect natural process ensures that flowers, which are especially valuable because of their fruit and pollen, are protected, while still attracting the right kinds of insects to feed on their nectar and pollen.
The process takes place in a way which strikes the perfect balance between the plant’s defense and reproduction needs.
By carefully controlling where the sweetest nectar is found – around the flowers – the plant attracts ants, which deter bothersome herbivores, while keeping the ants out of the flowers themselves, which instead lure insects that collect pollen.’
Read more: Plants ‘decide’ how sweet to make their nectar depending on which insect colonies they want to entice