Class

Article

College

College of Science

Department

Biology Department

Faculty Mentor

Robert Schaeffer

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Abstract

Why care? Bumblebees are known to be attracted to yeasts present in nectar when foraging. Yeasts produce ethanol via fermentation of sugars found in flower nectar and bee honey. Ethanol may act as a foraging cue for bumblebee species. This has wider implications for plant-pollinator interactions, including the pollination of dozens of bumblebee-pollinated crops such as tomato, eggplant, and strawberries.

Location

Logan, UT

Start Date

4-8-2025 10:30 AM

End Date

4-8-2025 11:20 AM

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Apr 8th, 10:30 AM Apr 8th, 11:20 AM

Exploring the Role of Ethanol in Bumblebee-Yeast Interactions

Logan, UT

Why care? Bumblebees are known to be attracted to yeasts present in nectar when foraging. Yeasts produce ethanol via fermentation of sugars found in flower nectar and bee honey. Ethanol may act as a foraging cue for bumblebee species. This has wider implications for plant-pollinator interactions, including the pollination of dozens of bumblebee-pollinated crops such as tomato, eggplant, and strawberries.