Story

Flutter time

At this time of year, flowering plants attract more activity than other things on the roof. Flying insects such as butterflies, hoverflies and bees gather around flowers.

Why flowers?

Flying uses up energy. Insects have to keep refuelling to stay active.

Nectar from flowers contains sugars that offer a direct source of flight energy. A flowering plant is an energy point in the landscape: a place that provides fuel.

Investment

The sugars in nectar are made by a process called photosynthesis. Plants have to invest energy to make nectar. This is energy that could have gone into growth or storage instead. Making nectar is a choice that comes with costs, so the investment has to be worth it.

Pollen transport

When an insect stops at a flower in search of nectar, pollen rubs off on its body. If this pollen brushes the stigma of a flower of the same species, fertilisation can take place. This process is called pollination and is how many plants reproduce.

Variation

Not every flower is visited as often. Flowers differ in how much nectar they produce, their scent and their shape. Insects revisit flowers that provide more energy more often.

Plants that attract more pollinators produce more seeds overall.