Re: [CH] bees

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On 25 Jan 99 at 16:26, Brent Thompson wrote:
> 
> > Do ants play a part in pollination of chiles?
> 
> I am convinced ants play a big role in pollenization of my rocotos.  

If it is of any use I concur.  Reason is with all the aphid
suggestions I went out this morning to check again.  I was
rewarded with the sight of many ants crawling in and out of the
flowers.  Taking a careful look at the flower revealed a small
amount of moisture (nectar?) at the inside base of each petal.  
The ants were feeding on this.  On a couple of ants pollen could 
be seen on the four rear legs.  The plants I checked, rocotos of
course ;-)  Which adds another possible reason I have fruit this 
year.

I have seen the ants, I have seen the pollen on their legs.  I 
have not seen an ant go from one flower to another but would 
assume this a forgone conclusion.  Interestingly the ants try to 
shake the pollen off which contacts them when they go for the 
nectar at the base of the flower.  My guess is this action will 
enhance the transfer of pollen from flower to ant to flower as 
well.

Did not find any aphids.

Peter

-- Peter Moss 

"Well, let's just say, 'if your VCR is still blinking 12:00, you
don't want Linux'". - Bruce Perens

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