Bees get a buzz from the nectar of certain flowers

UNDATED (AP) -- Talk about a caffeine buzz: A new study says bees get a shot of caffeine from the nectar of certain flowers, and it perks up their memory.

 

One of those flowers is the coffee plant, which offers about as much caffeine concentration as a cup of instant coffee. Some citrus plants serve caffeine too, although in lower concentrations. Researchers found it in the nectar of orange and grapefruit blossoms.

 

The scientists used a lab experiment to show the caffeine dose boosts a bee's memory that a particular scent promises a tasty treat. In the wild, that could help plants compete for a bee's pollination services.

 

The work was reported online Thursday in the journal Science