When a bee regurgitates a droplet of nectar, the water evaporates and its sugar content becomes more concentrated. Sugars in the nectar ensure that the bee has a supply of energy to keep up with their muscles, but the concentration needs to be about 30% for maximum output. Many Australian native flowers produce dilute nectar, but flowers that primarily depend on bees for pollination have nectars with sugar concentrations of 35% or more.
Last Updated: 10 July 2010
Tags bees, nectar, nectar concentration, pollinators, teachers resource,
