Plant-pollinator interactions
Plant-pollinator interactions represent a key mutualism that is essential for terrestrial ecosystems. The co-evolution between flowering plants and their pollinators has driven variation in floral traits (including visual, chemical and nutritional factors) and pollinator behavior (including cognition, sensory systems, and foraging strategies). We are investigating the mechanisms underlying variation in pollinator attraction and preferences, and how these influence plant-pollinator networks and selection of plant traits.
Relevant publications:
Erickson, E., Patch, H.M. and C.M. Grozinger. “Herbaceous perennial ornamental plants can support complex pollinator communities” Scientific Reports 11:17352 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-95892-w (2021).
Vaudo, A.D., Tooker, J.F., Patch, H.M., Biddinger, D.J., Coccia, M., Crone, M.K., Fiely, M., Francis, J.S., Hines, H.M., Hodges, M., Jackson, S.W., Michez, D., Mu. J., Russo, L., Safari, M., Treanore, E.D., Vanderplanck, M., Yip, E., Leonard, A.S., C.M. Grozinger. “Pollen protein:lipid macronutrient ratios may guide broad patterns of bee species floral preferences” Insects 11(2): 132 (2020).
Russo, L., Keller, J., Vaudo, A., Grozinger, C.M., K. Shea. “Warming increases pollen lipid concentration in an invasive thistle, with minor effects on the associated floral-visitor community” Insects 11(1) 20 (2020)
Erickson, E., Adam. S., Russo, L., Wojcik, V., Patch, H.M., and C.M. Grozinger. “More than meets the eye: The role of ornamental plants in supporting pollinators” Environmental Entomology 49(1) 178-188 (2020).
Russo, L, Vaudo, A.D., Fisher, C.J., Grozinger, C.M., and K. Shea. “Bee community preference for an invasive thistle associated with higher pollen protein content” Oecologia 190(4): 901-912 (2019)
Vaudo, A.D., Stabler D., Patch, H.M., Tooker, J.F., Grozinger, C.M., Wright, G.A. "Bumble bees regulate their intake of the essential protein and lipid pollen macronutrients" Journal of Experimental Biology 219: 3962-3970 (2016).
Vaudo, A.D., Patch, H.M., Mortensen, D.A., Tooker, J.F., and C.M. Grozinger. "Macronutrient ratios in pollen shape bumble bee (Bombus impatiens) foraging strategies and floral preferences." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 113(28): E4035–E4042 (2016).
Vaudo, A. D, Tooker, J.F., Grozinger, C.M. and H.M. Patch. "Bee nutrition and floral resource restoration." Current Opinion in Insect Science 10:133-141 (2015).
Cardoza, Y.J., Harris, G.K. and C.M. Grozinger. “Effects of soil quality enhancement on pollinator-plant interactions” Psyche 2012: 581458, 8p (2012). doi:10.1155/2012/581458