Insect (as opposed to wind) pollination of plants is all about the
coevolutionary process in which plants reward certain pollinators to
transfer their pollen *to a female flower on another plant of the same
species.* Thus, it may be to the plant's advantage to penalize generalist
pollen thieves(such as honey bees), but to reward specialist pollinators
that coevolve with the plant to be able to metabolize secondary metabolites
that deter the generalists.
--
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com
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