nectarfeeding

Nectarfeeding is the behavior of obtaining nectar, a sugary liquid produced by flowers, for energy and often water. Nectar is produced by nectaries at the bases of flowers or within floral structures and serves primarily as a reward to attract pollinators. Animals that feed on nectar include birds such as hummingbirds and sunbirds, bees and other insects such as butterflies and moths, and some bat species. These visitors typically have specialized mouthparts—long beaks, proboscises, or extendable tongues—that enable them to reach nectar deep inside flowers.

Nectar composition and variability vary by plant, but nectar is primarily a solution of sugars (sucrose, glucose, and fructose) in water, often with a sugar concentration ranging from about 15% to 50%. Some nectars contain amino acids, minerals, and secondary metabolites that influence attractiveness or deterrence. The timing of nectar production can change with flower age, light, and environmental conditions, shaping foraging strategies.

Ecological role and coevolution are central to nectarfeeding. As animals visit flowers to drink nectar, they often transfer pollen, enabling plant reproduction and gene flow. Many flowers exhibit traits that attract specific feeders, including color, scent, shape, and nectar characteristics, reflecting reciprocal adaptations. Nectar robbing—feeding on nectar without pollination—is a behavior observed in some systems and can affect plant-pollinator dynamics.

Floral economics and processing vary by consumer group. Plants invest energy in nectar production to recruit pollinators, while nectar removal influences visitation patterns and pollen movement. In social insects like honeybees, nectar is transported to hives and can be enzymatically processed into honey, with water content reduced over time.

Conservation and ecosystem services: nectar resources support pollinator populations and crop yields. Habitat loss, altered flowering phenology, and climate change can reduce nectar availability and disrupt pollination networks.