Why/how are bees attracted to flowers?

Question

It's for my 'Botanical' themed Final major project in art and design.

please state your own knowledge,or include reference.

thank you!

Answer 1

Bee's are attracted to plants with attractive flowers insearch of nectar. Flowers want to attract bees so that they can transport pollen about. So white flowers, which look plain to us, actually reflect UV light, so they look very pretty to the bees. Also, bees cannot see red flowers.

I hope this helps slightly!

Answer 2

Bees are attracted to flowers due to several reasons:

1) Scent

Certain flowers have pleasant scents which can be sensed by the bee's sensory organs. This scent usually indicates the presence of nectar and thus attracts the bees to the flower.

Others have very nasty smells (eg Rafflesia) which attract several insects to pollinate them aswell.

2) Nectar

It is a sweet sugary solution that is secreted by the plant itself. This is a great energy source for the bee, and is very useful to produce honey. Once bees detect the nectar, they are attracted to the flower.

3)Nectary guides and Colour

Nectary guides are certain patterns on the flower petals which literally point to the inside of the flower and guide the bee into the flower. They look very attractive under UV light (which is sensed greatly by the bee) and tend to make flowers prominent over other vegetation.

4) Structure

Certan flowers are so advanced that they have adapted themselves to look like female bees. The male bee is tricked into thinking that the flower is actually a female bee and thus goes to mate with it. This is a very efficient mechanism. If you try and plant a bee orchid in your garden, you garden would be swarming with bees in no time.

Hope I helped!!

Answer 3

Bee flowers: These are usually yellow, blue or purple. Bees can't see red, but they can see ultra violet color and often these flowers have UV markings on them guiding the bees to the nectar. These flowers typically smell good because bees have a strong sense of smell. Sage and mint are bee pollinated.

Answer 4

idk