Changes in floral nectar are unlikely adaptive responses to pollinator flight sound

Abstract

Under noiseless experimental conditions, sugar concentration of secreted floral nectar may increase after flower exposure to nearby sounds of pollinator flight (Veits et al. 2019). However, we reject the argument that this represents adaptive plant behaviour, and consider that the appealing analogy between a flower and human ear is unjustified.

Keywords: Evolution; floral nectar production; nectar sugar concentration; plant adaptation; pollinator behaviour; pollinator flight sound.