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Caffeine in floral nectar enhances a pollinator's memory of reward

Caffeine in floral nectar enhances a pollinator's memory of reward
Caffeine in floral nectar enhances a pollinator's memory of reward

Plant defense compounds occur in floral nectar, but their ecological role is not well understood. We provide evidence that plant compounds pharmacologically alter pollinator behavior by enhancing their memory of reward. Honeybees rewarded with caffeine, which occurs naturally in nectar of Coffea and Citrus species, were three times as likely to remember a learned floral scent as were honeybees rewarded with sucrose alone. Caffeine potentiated responses of mushroom body neurons involved in olfactory learning and memory by acting as an adenosine receptor antagonist. Caffeine concentrations in nectar did not exceed the bees' bitter taste threshold, implying that pollinators impose selection for nectar that is pharmacologically active but not repellent. By using a drug to enhance memories of reward, plants secure pollinator fidelity and improve reproductive success.

0036-8075
1202-1204
Wright, G. A.
98c6aa2b-d857-4fb7-89db-76bd6af182cb
Baker, D. D.
878b6c70-454a-49fd-abe8-368f7112fc9b
Palmer, M. J.
67745c39-885e-4e0c-83c1-5c432578f0fe
Stabler, D.
b275ba93-2cd8-460a-b5dc-b527a268f351
Mustard, J. A.
adf6d716-f987-45ee-a11d-52bf16367f5c
Power, E. F.
a406c2de-f8fd-4535-95d6-d6095f08d2c2
Borland, A. M.
f67cc093-98cb-4d2e-b537-e6f13ad6ea7b
Stevenson, P. C.
7b8878de-4a5b-4eaf-88d2-034d9041f41d
Wright, G. A.
98c6aa2b-d857-4fb7-89db-76bd6af182cb
Baker, D. D.
878b6c70-454a-49fd-abe8-368f7112fc9b
Palmer, M. J.
67745c39-885e-4e0c-83c1-5c432578f0fe
Stabler, D.
b275ba93-2cd8-460a-b5dc-b527a268f351
Mustard, J. A.
adf6d716-f987-45ee-a11d-52bf16367f5c
Power, E. F.
a406c2de-f8fd-4535-95d6-d6095f08d2c2
Borland, A. M.
f67cc093-98cb-4d2e-b537-e6f13ad6ea7b
Stevenson, P. C.
7b8878de-4a5b-4eaf-88d2-034d9041f41d

Wright, G. A., Baker, D. D., Palmer, M. J., Stabler, D., Mustard, J. A., Power, E. F., Borland, A. M. and Stevenson, P. C. (2013) Caffeine in floral nectar enhances a pollinator's memory of reward. Science, 339 (6124), 1202-1204. (doi:10.1126/science.1228806).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Plant defense compounds occur in floral nectar, but their ecological role is not well understood. We provide evidence that plant compounds pharmacologically alter pollinator behavior by enhancing their memory of reward. Honeybees rewarded with caffeine, which occurs naturally in nectar of Coffea and Citrus species, were three times as likely to remember a learned floral scent as were honeybees rewarded with sucrose alone. Caffeine potentiated responses of mushroom body neurons involved in olfactory learning and memory by acting as an adenosine receptor antagonist. Caffeine concentrations in nectar did not exceed the bees' bitter taste threshold, implying that pollinators impose selection for nectar that is pharmacologically active but not repellent. By using a drug to enhance memories of reward, plants secure pollinator fidelity and improve reproductive success.

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Published date: 8 March 2013

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Local EPrints ID: 477081
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/477081
ISSN: 0036-8075
PURE UUID: d7ed82f5-fd9e-4cb1-bba9-39fa76d58627

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Date deposited: 25 May 2023 16:49
Last modified: 10 May 2024 17:01

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Contributors

Author: G. A. Wright
Author: D. D. Baker
Author: M. J. Palmer
Author: D. Stabler
Author: J. A. Mustard
Author: E. F. Power
Author: A. M. Borland
Author: P. C. Stevenson

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