Plant secondary metabolites in nectar: impacts on pollinators and ecological functions

摘要

1. The ecological function of secondary metabolites in plant defence against herbivores is well established, but their role in plant-pollinator interactions is less obvious. Nectar is the major reward for pollinators, so the occurrence of defence chemicals in the nectar of many species is unexpected. However, increasing evidence supports a variety of potential benefits for both plant and pollinator from these compounds.