Sara Diana Leonhardt

is professor of Plant-Insect Interactions at the TUM School of Life Sciences, Munich, Germany.

Abstract

Nutrition as provided by (mostly) nectar and pollen of flowering plant species likely strongly affects bee population dynamics. However, we still know little about species-specific nutritional needs or effects of variation in food nutritional composition on the bees’ choices. To reveal how food chemistry affects bee behavior and performance, we combine chemical analyses with different behavioral assays to determine which nutritional cues are used by different bee species to assess the nutritional quality of their food. Through additionally investigating changes in floral diversity and composition, food chemistry and bee fitness along diversity gradients, we want to understand how environmental change may affect the health and fitness of these important pollinators. This knowledge is essential for developing effective mitigation measures (e.g. flower mixtures) to stop the ongoing loss of bee diversity.

Webex-Details

Meeting number (access code): 121 004 1208
Meeting password: Mc2SmhvMi96