Do Some Flowers Contain Nectar That Deters Bees?

Following on from the page about plants toxic for bees, I thought I would continue with a page about nectar that is reported to 'deter' bees. 

This information is again based on the paper: The ecological significance of toxic nectar - Lynn S. Adler (OIKOS 91: 409 – 420. Copenhagen 2000) - see right),  but I would be interested to hear about other relevant scientific papers on this subject.

The paper does not specifically state that the flowers themselves deter bees – but lists papers that note a deterrent effect of nectar. 

It would seem reasonable that if nectar deters bees, the flower itself might also deter bees, but I do not have access to the papers listed by Adler, nor do I have information describing the ways in which the bees were 'deterred'. 

If you have an allergy to bee stings, it is also not clear from this paper whether planting these species around eating areas and the home, would keep them away, or not.

 If you have further information on this subject, please do let me know via the contact page.  Thank you.

(Please note, this website receives visitors from all over the world, and these plants may or may not be present in your own country).

It's no surprise that flower nectar affects honey produced by honey bees.  It can not only affect the flavour, but toxic effects have been recorded.  More later!

Articles about bees and foraging

• Why Do Bees Need Nectar And Pollen? A look at this question from the perspective of different types of bees.
  
  
• Plants Toxic For Bees It may surprise readers to learn that some plants produce nectar which is toxic or at least harmful, to bees.  Here is a list of plants detrimental to bees, and discussion as to the theories about why plants might produce nectar that would harm potential pollinators.
  
  
• Why do bees visit some flowers and not others? Here are 6 reasons Reasons include: Food reward offered, nectar refill rate of the flower, foraging preferences of the bee species, seasonality, and peak nectar production.
  
  
• Which Lime Trees Are Toxic For Bees? Which Lime Trees Are Toxic For Bees - some species may be great for bees whilst others are not.


• Nectar Robbing And Secondary Robbing Comfrey Films of different bees nectar robbing and secondary robbing comfrey.  


• Do Bees Visit Yellow Flowers? Examples of yellow flowering plants and shrubs visited by bees.

Go back to Home page

  Pssst ... spread the word!