Recent new work
Vaudo, A. D., Tooker, J. F., Patch, H. M., Biddinger, D. J., Coccia, M., Crone, M. K., ... & Grozinger, C. M. (2020). Pollen protein: Lipid macronutrient ratios may guide broad patterns of bee species floral preferences. Insects, 11(2), 132.
Because bees undoubtedly forage for pollen to meet both their protein and lipid needs, both macronutrients should be considered together as possible drivers of bee foraging preferences.
Typically, food sources differ in concentrations and ratios of nutrients and often do not match the intake target of most species. Therefore, foraging animals need to sense food quality and adjust their foraging to mix consumption from multiple food sources, regulating their dietary intake to reach their targets.
Although honey bees do not necessarily prefer flowers with higher protein values, they may still be selective for pollen
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Although I commend these researchers for "thinking outside of the box," I submit that there may be more to pollen attractiveness than just nutritional quality, as there is more to cooking than just get the right amount of nutrients. Evolution has produced flowers that attract pollinators in a wide variety of ways including floral color, shape, scent, and rewards including carbohydrate, proteins, and lipids. To narrow study down to one of these factors is myopic at best.
PLB
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