Nectar measuring ... micro-pipettes?

[TooBee...]

Hi
I've become interested in the amount of Nectar in various flowers after reading some articles, so I thought I would try and measure the nectar in certain flowers for my own research,... but quickly discovered the information I need isn't easily available with an online search, firstly I need micro-pipettes, I need to measure at least down to 0.1ul, secondly a video or pictures of how to actually collect the nectar would be great. I know that the sugar concentration of the nectar is very important and I understand there are refractometers that can measure very small volumes, but I'm no where near that stage yet.

The best that I have been able to find online is this,
https://www.apidologie.org/articles/apido/pdf/2003/01/01.pdf
but it's 15 years out of date, surely there are micro-pipettes that can even measure what you suck up? I think the ones on Amazon are for sucking up a fixed amount, not for measuring the amount sucked up.

Can anyone point me in the right direction, I know there are some people here that are involved in the more scientific end of things as well as members that are familiar with pipettes with Queen breeding...?

 

[For want of a better word]

https://www.coleparmer.com/i/gilmont-gs-1100-micrometer-syringe-0-2-ml-1-ea/0784000

Expensive... I believer there is a botanist researching into nectar loads in plants that honey bees use at University of Plymouth... or possibly at Exeter University Penryn campus.
Supplied samples of Rose Bay Willow Herb last season that turned out to have empty nectaries... interesting area of research... look at Citizen Science projects?

Yeghes da

 

[B+.]

I need micro-pipettes, I need to measure at least down to 0.1ul, secondly a video or pictures of how to actually collect the nectar would be great. I know that the sugar concentration of the nectar is very important and I understand there are refractometers that can measure very small volumes, but I'm no where near that stage yet.

The standard micro-pipettes that I use in bee breeding are 50ul Green Band. There are micropipettes available that hold much smaller amounts (e.g. 2ul), however, I think this is heading in the wrong direction. There are much easier ways of doing it (i.e. https://www.scientificlabs.co.uk/product/SLS4900). There are plenty of videos on Youtube about laboratory technique if you need help in using this device but, I suspect, none collecting nectar from a flower.

Tip size and shape may be a problem though. This may push you down the route Icanhopit/Cheers suggested (although the min volume may be too high) I doubt the standard lab tips will suit your needs. PM me when you have an idea what profile you need and I'll see if I can help. I've been playing around with tip profiles for II purposes for a while (https://beekeepingforum.co.uk/album.php?albumid=751&pictureid=3936).

Edit: Another option may be tips like these (https://www.scientificlabs.co.uk/product/PIP5050)

 

[TooBee...]

...PM me when you have an idea what profile you need and I'll see if I can help. I've been playing around with tip profiles for II purposes for a while (https://beekeepingforum.co.uk/album.php?albumid=751&pictureid=3936).

Thanks I appreciate that offer, as I am now even more realizing, this is not as easy as at first I thought... but the more I look into it the more I am interested in it. I'm fascinated by the pollen the bees collect, studying it under a microscope, etc. and I think that's what's got me interested in the nectar.

 

[B+.]

Thanks I appreciate that offer, as I am now even more realizing, this is not as easy as at first I thought... but the more I look into it the more I am interested in it. I'm fascinated by the pollen the bees collect, studying it under a microscope, etc. and I think that's what's got me interested in the nectar.

It's an interesting, and useful, project. If you could quantify the value of each plant to various insects (depending on tongue length), I can see all sorts of uses for that information (councils, nature groups, etc)

 

[TooBee...]

https://www.coleparmer.com/i/gilmont-gs-1100-micrometer-syringe-0-2-ml-1-ea/0784000

Expensive... I believer there is a botanist researching into nectar loads in plants that honey bees use at University of Plymouth... or possibly at Exeter University Penryn campus.
Supplied samples of Rose Bay Willow Herb last season that turned out to have empty nectaries... interesting area of research... look at Citizen Science projects?

Yeghes da

Yes, it does appear to be a tad expensive, I didn't realize that at first, based on the photo on page 12 of this pdf.
http://www.agriland.leeds.ac.uk/news/documents/4_JaneMemmottnectarresources.pdf

It would be interesting to touch base with the individuals involved in those projects you mentioned. I always thought Fireweed had loads of nectar?

 

[TooBee...]

It's an interesting, and useful, project. If you could quantify the value of each plant to various insects (depending on tongue length), I can see all sorts of uses for that information (councils, nature groups, etc)

Yes,
the more I look into it the more interesting it seems; I assumed that if Bumble Bees were constantly at a particular type of flower then Honey Bees would like it as well, however apparently Bumble Bees have longer tongues so have a greater choice of flowers, also they are more inclined to 'rob' the nectar by making a small hole in the base of the flower (if it's too difficult for them to access), thus by-passing the pollen, but ... Honey Bees can then come along and make use of this.

Also, I've found out that flowers such as Alfalfa only provide one feed of nectar per day, while many others provide multiple feeds, ie: if one collects nectar samples from a flower five times throughout the day the end result can be up to 175% more than if one collects just once! I'm also suspicious that if nectar is being collected from some flowers on the same plant, what effect does this have (if any) on the other flowers, etc. etc.

 

[B+.]

Also, I've found out that flowers such as Alfalfa only provide one feed of nectar per day, while many others provide multiple feeds, ie: if one collects nectar samples from a flower five times throughout the day the end result can be up to 175% more than if one collects just once! I'm also suspicious that if nectar is being collected from some flowers on the same plant, what effect does this have (if any) on the other flowers, etc. etc.

Its all well and good taking these measurements, but, every year isn't the same. You'll also need to record environmental readings like rainfall, hrs of daylight, temperature, etc as all these will affect the plants ability to produce nectar. For example, I noticed this year, the simple little scabious flower in my garden - last year they flowered all summer long. This year, they were dried up as soon as they flowered. When this happens, the diet of insects will suffer.