Buzz
Even the most industrious bees enjoy a morning boost. A recent study from the University of Sussex reveals that bees are drawn to caffeine and favor nectar that provides an extra kick.
Published in Current Biology, the study examined bees' preferences between caffeinated nectar and a non-caffeinated option of equal quality. Approximately 55% of plants contain low levels of caffeine in their nectar, and earlier studies suggest that caffeine enhances bees' ability to remember floral scents.
In laboratory experiments, bees were offered two sugary nectars—one with caffeine and one without. They foraged more frequently from the caffeinated nectar and were more likely to guide other bees to this source. Bees directed their peers to the caffeinated nectar four times as often as the non-caffeinated option and continued returning to the caffeinated feeder even after it was empty. After consuming caffeinated nectar, they showed less interest in exploring other food sources, indicating a form of addiction.
According to Margaret Couvillon, a researcher at the University of Sussex, plants might be deceiving honey bees by encouraging consistent foraging and recruitment behaviors, potentially without offering the highest quality forage. This is highlighted in a press release. Bees are misled into believing that caffeinated nectar is superior, reducing their interest in exploring other nectar options. One can only imagine how they’d react to a nectar Keurig.
