1. Pollinator foraging is a complex behaviour that has major importance for gene dispersal in plant populations. The precise behaviour of foraging insects is subject to both external (light and temperature, floral reward characteristics, flower colour and shape, flower density, etc.) and internal factors such as recognition capabilities, age and foraging experience or health of insects. How exactly these different factors affect foraging behaviour remains a subject of study, which often requires data collection. 2. In this study, we present a wireless and cost-effective robotic flower that automatically offers nectar to visiting insects while monitoring visitation time and duration. To achieve this, the robotic flower is equipped with Internet of Things (IoT) technology, making it possible to get real-time data without interfering or even getting close to the experimental system. This makes more remote experiments without internet and power grid connection possible. Compared to previous robotic systems, the setup can easily be changed (also during a trial). Moreover, the nectar refilling rate can be altered remotely as well. Being completely wireless and autonomous, this system is mobile and easy to fix or clean. 3. With the settings used in the prototype, one battery charge can cover an experimental period of approximately two weeks. Discrete amounts of nectar (volume can be altered by changing the 3D-design of the nectar-cup) are offered to visitors. Data for more than 1500 visits per day per flower can be registered and are presented to the user in a CSV-file. 4. The robotic flower solves some issues commonly associated with manual censuses and observations while it provides accurate and reliable data on insect behaviour at the same time. Although the system was designed for bees, it could be extended to other insects commonly visiting flowers, such as flies, with minor changes to the design. The robotic flower is user friendly and can be easily adapted to address a wide range of research questions related to pollinator foraging behaviour, including the effect of nectar traits, flower colour and shape, and pollutants on foraging behaviour.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.