基于Tenax脱附动力学的沉积物中菊酯类农药生物有效性研究

菊酯类农药已被广泛应用于农业、林业和渔业生产中,因其高疏水和亲脂性使其更易残留在沉积物中,因此研究其生物有效性对沉积物的环境质量和风险评价具有重要意义。采用强吸附性树脂(Tenax)连续萃取法研究洋山港潮间带表层沉积物中4种代表性菊酯类农药(高效氯氟氰菊酯、联苯菊酯、氯菊酯和甲氰菊酯)的脱附动力学,评价菊酯类农药在沉积物中的生物有效性,并将Tenax萃取结果与海洋经济底栖生物菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)的累积试验进行比较。结果表明,在有机碳(OC)含量较低的洋山港潮间带表层沉积物中,菊酯类农药的快速解吸组分比例(Frap)高达50%以上,快速、慢速和极慢速解吸速率常数数量级分别为10-1、10-2和10-5~10-3。与Frap相比,Tenax单点萃取结果可用于评价沉积物中菊酯类农药的生物有效性,并且在应用上更加快速、经济有效。与菲律宾蛤仔体内菊酯类浓度(Cb)之间相关性研究表明,Tenax 24 h萃取结果(Cs,24 h)更适用于生物体内污染物累积的预测(lg Cb=4.03 lg Cs,24 h-17.02,R2=0.88,P<0.05)。该研究结果不仅可以简单、快速地评价沉积物中菊酯类污染物的生物有效性,为海洋沉积物的环境质量和风险评价提供可靠依据;还可以有效地预测经济双壳类底栖动物体内菊酯类污染物的生物累积,为养殖领域沉积物环境风险评价及相关水产品的食品风险评价提供更为简单快捷的方法。     

基于Tenax脱附技术评价沉积物中不同碳质对菊酯类农药生物有效性的影响研究

本文选取泥炭、生物质炭、木炭和活性炭4种含碳材料,结合以经济底栖生物菲律宾蛤仔(Venerupis philippinarum)为受试生物的生物累积实验和Tenax连续萃取法,阐述不同碳质对沉积物中4种菊酯类农药生物有效性的影响,并将Tenax萃取结果与底栖生物的累积结果进行了相关分析。结果表明,碳质的添加导致沉积物中菊酯类农药的快速脱附组分(Frap)降低,极慢速脱附组分(Fv s)增大,生物有效性降低,且4种碳质对Frap的影响有所不同,然而因为菊酯类农药的理化性质,Frap的差异并不显著。Tenax 6 h和24 h的单点萃取组分与快速脱附组分相关性显著(P0.0001),基本可以代替完整的脱附动力学评价生物有效性,但是对于组成复杂,有机碳(OC)和黑炭(BC)含量高的沉积物进行研究评价时仍应注意由此产生的偏离。Tenax快速脱附组分与2种底栖生物累积结果之间具有显著的相关性(R2=0.38,P0.0001),表明在OC和BC含量不同的沉积物中,Tenax萃取技术也可以预测菊酯类农药在经济底栖生物菲律宾蛤仔体内的累积量,进而为沉积物中HOCs的环境质量和相关水产品的质量评估提供更为快捷、有效的参考依据。     

Tenax萃取技术用于养殖底泥中有机氯农药的生物有效性研究

本研究以经济底栖生物菲律宾蛤仔和河蚬为受试生物,分别对不同浓度梯度的海洋和淡水底泥中9种代表性有机氯农药(OCPs)进行累积实验;同时采用Tenax连续萃取法研究2类底泥中OCPs的脱附动力学,提供简单、快速评价养殖底泥中OCPs生物有效性的方法,并将Tenax萃取结果与2种底栖生物的累积结果进行比较。结果表明,菲律宾蛤仔和河蚬对OCPs的生物-底泥富集因子(BSAF)分别为0.31~1.89和0.12~2.12,且底泥中有机碳标化的OCPs浓度与生物体内脂肪标化的OCPs浓度之间的相关性较差。Tenax脱附动力学的结果表明,2类底泥中OCPs的快速脱附比例(F_(rap))均在50%左右,其快速、慢速和极慢速脱附速率常数数量级分别为10~(~(-1))、10~(-2)和10~(-4)。Tenax快速脱附组分与2种底栖生物累积结果之间具有良好的相关性(r~2=0.75,P0.0001),表明Tenax萃取技术可以预测OCPs在底栖生物体内的累积量,并且该方法克服了大型底栖生物累积实验结果重复性较差等缺点。另外通过与基于热力学平衡的方法对比发现,Tenax萃取技术更适用于滤食性或可消化底泥的底栖生物对底泥污染物的富集;同时Tenax 6 h和24 h单点萃取技术可以作为简单快速评价底泥疏水性有机污染物(HOCs)生物有效性的替代方法,进一步为养殖领域的底泥污染状况以及相关水产品的质量安全和食用风险提供生物有效性评价依据。     

海洋沉积物中的镉及不同形态镉的生物有效性

镉是一种生物非必需的毒副作用很强的重金属元素.进入海洋环境中的镉,最终有相当部分进入沉积物中,并对底栖生物造成危害.通过测定不同镉质量浓度暴露条件下海水、沉积物和生物体内的镉的形态和含量,研究了海洋沉积物中不同形态镉的生物有效性.结果表明,菲律宾蛤仔对Cd的蓄积随着时间增加,呈现先快速增加的趋势,在24 h内其蓄积速率最大,96 h后生物体内镉的质量分数出现缓慢下降趋势.在蓄积时间一定的条件下,在任何Cd含量沉积物下,菲律宾蛤仔都可以蓄积Cd,而且随着沉积物中镉质量分数升高,生物体内蓄积的镉的质量分数也呈现上升趋势.活性镉(可交换态)是沉积物中镉存在的主要形式(45.48x.96%),硅酸盐结合态和黄铁矿结合态的金属只占较小的比例,活性镉是影响沉积物中重金属镉生物可利用性的最有效形态.     

环渤海近岸海域表层沉积物及底栖生物中PBDEs的赋存特征及富集行为

多溴联苯醚(PBDEs)作为一种新型的持久性有机污染物,在海洋环境中广泛存在,研究PBDEs在不同介质中的赋存状态对于理解其环境行为及归趋具有重要的意义。通过采集不同区域沉积物及生物样品,考察了PBDEs在环渤海近岸海域表层沉积物及底栖生物中的含量及空间分布特征、污染模式及生物-沉积物富集因子。结果表明,环渤海沿岸表层沉积物中PBDEs总量(Σ10PBDEs)的浓度范围在0.446~26.8 ng·g-1(干重,dw)之间,中值为1.02 ng·g-1(dw),底栖生物中PBDEs(Σ9PBDEs)的浓度范围为0.053~9.90 ng·g-1(dw),中值为1.25 ng·g-1dw;沉积物中BDE-209为最主要的单体,平均丰度达到90.5%,生物体中主要以低溴代BDEs为主,其中单体BDE-47的含量最高,平均丰度范围为43.2%~49.7%;沉积物和生物中PBDEs的含量在空间上存在显著的差异,其中莱州湾和锦州附近区域的结果明显高于其他区域;5种不同的底栖生物对PBDEs均表现出一定的生物富集性,其中∑9PBDEs的BSAF值按从大到小的顺序为菲律宾蛤仔(0.43~4.06,mean=1.19)紫贻贝(0.34~2.86,1.03)四角蛤蜊(0.17~1.95,0.82)麻蛤(0.13~2.33,0.61)牡蛎(0.09~1.20,0.52)。辛醇水分配系数(log KOW)与不同物种BSAF值的相关性分析结果表明,除BDE-17单体外,其他单体的BSAF值表现出随log KOW的升高而下降的趋势。     

黑碳对土壤和沉积物中菲的吸附解吸行为及生物可利用性的影响

利用淡水单孔蚓Monopylephorus limosus的生物富集实验,研究了黑碳对土壤和沉积物中多环芳烃类有机化合物菲生物可利用性的影响,同时研究了黑碳对菲吸附和解吸行为的影响,并用"双元平衡解吸(DED)模型"对解吸行为进行了预测.结果表明,土壤和沉积物中黑碳的存在直接导致了菲在颤蚓体内的生物累积因子(BSAF)的降低,其原因在于菲在黑碳沉积物样品中的不可逆吸附程度的显著增强.研究发现,土壤和沉积物中菲的生物可利用性与土壤和沉积物中菲的吸附相浓度无关而与孔隙水浓度密切相关.     

珠江河口沉积物中拟除虫菊酯类农药污染及毒性评价

拟除虫菊酯农药是一种广谱、高效、低毒、低残留的亲脂性杀虫剂,它会随农田排水、降雨淋洗进入水体,最终进入沉积环境,故沉积物是其最终归宿之一。本研究针对珠江河口沉积物中菊酯类农药的污染状况进行调查,研究它们的含量、组成比例、污染来源及其潜在毒性,为珠江渔业水生生态环境管理及掌握环境中有机污染情况提供依据,对保护渔业环境安全有十分重要的意义。2012年5月采集珠江河口表层沉积物,采用气相色谱法-电子捕获法（GC-ECD）对表层沉积物中联苯菊酯、甲氰菊酯、高效氯氟氰菊酯、氯菊酯、氯氰菊酯、氰戊菊酯、溴氰菊酯进行残留检测,并利用其对钩虾的生物毒性来评价沉积物的潜在毒性。结果显示,表层沉积物（以干质量计）中7种菊酯类农药质量分数介于ND~6.59μg·kg-1（ND表示未检出）,平均值为0.75μg·kg-1,其总质量分数与有机碳质量分数呈现一定的正相关性;组成比例表明,氯菊酯最多,占总量的57.63%,它的检出率为61.90%,甲氰菊酯其次,约占总量的16.39%,检出率为28.57%,氯菊酯占主要组成部分,可能与其在珠江三角洲居民生活中被大量使用及其降解速率有关;珠江桥采样点高浓度的菊酯类农药的检出（6.59μg·kg-1）,可能与其靠近人口密集和经济发达的广州有关;与国内外其他地区相比,珠江河口沉积物中菊酯农药处于较低水平;采用毒性单元TU（选用钩虾Hyallela Azteca的LC50）进行毒性评估,∑TU值范围为0~0.09,远远低于1,表明珠江河口拟除虫菊酯不存在生态风险。     

黄河(兰州段)水生生态系统中壬基酚的分布研究

壬基酚(NP)及壬基酚聚氧乙烯醚(NPnEO)是一类具有环境雌激素效应的有机污染物。研究了黄河兰州段水体中NP及NPnEO(n=1,2)的分布,测定了NP及NPnEO在河水和浮游植物、浮游动物、鱼类体中及沉积物中的含量。初步研究了黄河兰州段NP在水生生物体内的分布规律。结果表明在黄河兰州段水生生态系统中,水中NP2EO含量大于NP和NP1EO,各级生物体内的NP含量普遍高于NP1EO和NP2EO,并比水中高103~105倍,浮游动物及鱼体单位质量脂肪中的NP含量低于浮游植物单位脂肪中NP含量,沉积物中的NP浓度比水中高56.6~1 849.3倍。可见黄河兰州段水生生物对NP类污染物有生物积累作用,没有生物放大作用,NP类污染物会从水中转移到沉积物中,并在沉积物中积累。     

多溴联苯醚的生物富集效应研究进展

研究污染物的生物富集效应对于预测污染物在生物体内的含量、建立环境标准以及评估污染物的生态风险具有重要的意义.论文结合近年来国内外有关多溴联苯醚(PBDEs)的生物富集及其沿食物链(网)生物放大效应的研究文献,对PBDEs的生物富集效应进行了综述.文献计算的生物富集因子(BAFs)、生物-沉积物/土壤生物富集因子(BSAFs)和生物放大因子(BMFs)表明,生物对大多数PBDEs具有生物富集作用,且生物对PBDEs的富集能力与其生物进化等级及其营养级有关.文献计算的营养级放大因子(TMFs)表明,大多数PBDE单体可以在食物网上产生生物放大效应,但只有较少单体具有统计上的显著性.生物的生理生化参数、化合物本身的特性以及环境条件等因素影响了PBDEs在生物体内及食物链(网)上的富集与放大.     

功夫菊酯与镉复合污染对土壤微生物和镉生物可利用性的影响

为探讨菊酯类农药和镉复合污染对土壤微生物功能和镉生物有效性的影响,分析了功夫菊酯和镉单一及复合作用下土壤微生物碳、呼吸率和酶活性的变化;同时采用同位素标记和薄膜扩散梯度(diffusive gradients in thin-films,DGT)技术分析了土壤微生物群落抗性和镉的生物有效性。结果表明,镉在复合污染中起主导作用,但功夫菊酯与低浓度镉的复合作用可协同促进微生物活性;功夫菊酯能促进微生物群落对镉的抗性,提高镉的生物可利用性,并可能提高镉在植物中的累积。     

Diet-induced chemical phytomimesis by twig-like caterpillars of Biston robustum Butler (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

Summary. Polyphagous caterpillars of the giant geometer Biston robustum resemble the twigs of their respective food sources in color and shape. Common predatory ants, including Lasius and Formica, were often observed to freely prowl directly on caterpillars bodies, even after antennal contact. This suggests that the cuticular chemicals of the caterpillars resemble those of the twigs of the foodplants, so we analyzed both by GC and GC-MS. The chemical compositions differed among caterpillars fed on a cherry, Prunus yedoensis, a chinquapin Castanopsis cuspidata, and a camellia Camellia japonica. The cuticular chemicals of the caterpillars resembled those of their corresponding food sources. When the caterpillar diets were switched from the cherry to camellia or chinquapin at the 4^th instars, the caterpillars cuticular chemicals changed after molting to resemble those of their respective foods. Caterpillars also changed their cuticular chemicals when they perched on cherry twigs and fed on camellia or chinquapin leaves, but not when they perched on camellia or chinquapin twigs and fed on cherry leaves. The chemical similarities between the caterpillars and the twigs were due to the digestion of host leaves, which indicates that this is a diet-induced adaptation.     

Antennal responses of four species of tree-killing bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) to volatiles collected from beetles,and their host and nonhost conifers

Summary. Host selection in tree-killing bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) is mediated by a complex of semiochemical cues. Using gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) and GC-mass spectrometric analyses, we conducted a comparative study of the electrophysiological responses of four species of tree-killing bark beetles, the Douglas-fir beetle, Dendroctonus pseudotsugae, Hopkins, the mountain pine beetle, D. ponderosae Hopkins, the spruce beetle, D. rufipennis Kirby, and the western balsam bark beetle, Dryocoetes confusus Swaine, to volatiles captured by aeration of 1) bole and foliage of four sympatric species of conifers, Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco, lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelm., interior spruce, Picea engelmannii x glauca, and interior fir, Abies lasiocarpa x bifolia, and 2) con- and heterospecific beetles at three stages of attack. We identified 13 monoterpenes in the conifers and nine compounds in the volatiles of beetles that elicited antennal responses. There was no qualitative difference in the terpene constitution of the four species of conifers and very little difference across beetle species in their antennal response to compounds from conifers or beetles. The lack of species-specific major or minor components in conifers suggests that beetles would need to detect differences in the ratios of different compounds in conifers to discriminate among them. Attraction to hosts and avoidance of nonhost conifers may be accentuated by perception of compounds emitted by con- and heterospecific beetles, respectively. The 22 compounds identified are candidate semiochemicals with potential behavioural roles in host location and discrimination.     

Benthic macrophyte communities in the Ghar El Melh lagoon (North Tunisia)

This work deals with the biodiversity and distribution of benthic macrophytes in the Ghar El Melh lagoon, a Mediterranean coastal lagoon located in the North of Tunisia. An inventory was made of the benthic flora and submerged macrophyte communities were mapped during two successive campaigns (the summer of 1999 and the winter of 2000). The following 24 macrophyte species were identified: seven red algae, two brown algae, 11 green algae, and four marine angiosperms. The results were compared with available data from the literature. Ruppia cirrhosa is the most dominant species. It is found in all lagoon parts, except in the west sector.Ruppia beds are usually associated withCladophora forming heterogeneous communities. During summerRuppia cirrhosa shows a large distribution, covering an area of ca. 21.4 km², with dense, extensive beds covering 80–100%. In winter, severalCladophora species have a very large distribution as well, covering nearly an area of 28.5 km² with an average cover of 46%. The green algaeCaulerpa prolifera is confined to the eastern part of the lagoon which is mainly affected by seawater. In comparison with previous situations, many transformations were observed in biodiversity and spatial distribution of the dominant communities. Thus,Cymodocea nodosa andZostera beds, which dominated in the 1970s, were replaced byZostera andCaulerpa prolifera in the 1980s and are currently succeeded byRuppia cirrhosa andCladophora. Restoration of the Ghar El Melh lagoon will enable an increase in the exchange with the open sea and the circulation of water, in particular in the confined zones. This should considerably improve the water quality and would positively influence the phytobenthic communities.     

Comparison of the insecticidal effects of water extracted and intact aromatic plants onAcanthoscelides obtectus,a bruchid beetle pest of kidney beans

Summary Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say) is one of the most damaging pests of kidney beans,Phaseolus vulgaris L. worldwide. However, aromatic plants from the families Lamiaceae, Lauraceae, Myrtaceae and Poaceae can protect kidney beans by direct or delayed insecticidal effect, through increased adult mortality and inhibition of beetle reproduction (both oviposition and adult emergence). The efficiency of hydrodistillated and intact plants fromThymus vulgaris andT. serpyllum, Mentha piperata, Rosmarinus officinalis, Satureia hortensis, Eucalyptus globulus, Laurus nobilis, Origanum vulgare, andCymbopogon nardus was compared. For both extracts,Origanum vulgare had the best effect. The insecticidal effect was induced by more than the essential oils because no significant difference was noticed between distilled and intact plants extract. Inhibition of reproduction was particularly important. These results suggest that lipidic as well as non lipidic, allelochemicals, such as phenolics, or non-protein amino-acids, or flavonoids may be involved in the toxicity of aromatic plants to this beetle.     

Some polyphagous Homoptera gain protection from their natural enemies by feeding on the toxic plantsSpartium junceum andErythrina corallodendrum (Leguminosae)

Summary Interactions were studied among alkaloid-containing legumes (Erythrina corallodendrum andSpartium junceum) and non-toxic plants (Citrus sinensis, Cucurbita moschata andEuphorbia tirucalli), several polyphagous homopterans,Aphis craccivora (Aphididae),Icerya purchasi, I. aegyptiaca (Margarodidae),Lepidosaphes ulmi (Diaspididae) andPlanococcus citri (Pseudococcidae), and some major natural enemies of these homopterans. Significant reductions in survival due to negative effects of alkaloid containing as compared with non-alkaloidal plants were recorded for the predatorsRodolia cardinalis andChilocorus bipustulatus, but not forCryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae),Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) andSympherobius sanctus (Neuroptera: Sympherobiidae). The development time of the larvae or pupae ofR. cardinalis, C. carnea andS. sanctus was longer on the toxic plants than on the non-toxic ones. The percentage of parasitism ofA. craccivora collected from the non-alkaloidal plantsVicia palaestina andMelilotus albus was much higher than that onS. junceum. The parasitoid complexes ofA. craccivora differed between both plant groups. The nutritive value of honeydew ofI. purchasi andA. craccivora, as expressed by the life span ofEncyrtus infelix (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) adults, was also investigated. Life spans were significantly longer when the wasps fed on honeydew produced on non-alkaloidal plants (C. sinensis andPittosporum tobira) than on alkaloid containing plants whenI. purchasi — but notA. craccivora — was the producer. It is suggested that the chemical defense ofE. corallodendrum andS. junceum is exploited by polyphagous phytophages to reduce predation. In nature, population growth and density of four of the investigated homopterans are conspicuously high when they developed on the alkaloid containing plant species, and very low on non-alkaloid plants. The efficiency of their natural enemies may be reduced by sequestration of alkaloids (or other toxic plant compounds) or their transfer into excreted honeydew. Therefore it is assumed that a generalist phytophagous homopteran may be protected from its natural enemies, although at different rates of efficiency, if it can safely sequester the host allelochemical when it develops on toxic species within its host range.     

Absolute configuration of the major sex pheromone component of the satin moth, Leucoma salicis, verified by field trapping test in Hungary

Summary. Male satin moths, Leucoma (Stilpnotia) salicis L. (Lepidoptera, Lymantriidae) were attracted only to (3Z,6R,7S,9R,10S)-isomer out of the four (3Z)-cis-6,7-cis-9,10-diepoxy-3-henicosenes (leucomalure). This was demonstrated by field trapping test with a bivoltine population in a mixed poplar-willow forest along the flood area of the river Danube at Adony, Hungary.     

Increase of multi-metal tolerance of three leguminous plants by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonization

A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of the colonization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Glomus mosseae on the growth and metal uptake of three leguminous plants (Sesbania rostrata, Sesbania cannabina, Medicago sativa) grown in multi-metal contaminated soil. AMF colonization increased the growth of the legumes, indicating that AMF colonization increased the plant’s resistance to heavy metals. It also significantly stimulated the formation of root nodules and increased the N and P uptake of all of the tested leguminous plants, which might be one of the tolerance mechanisms conferred by AMF. Compared with the control, colonization by G. mosseae decreased the concentration of metals, such as Cu, in the shoots of the three legumes, indicating that the decreased heavy metals uptake and growth dilution were induced by AMF treatment, thereby reducing the heavy metal toxicity to the plants. The root/shoot ratios of Cu in the three legumes and Zn in M. sativa were significantly increased (P < 0.05) with AMF colonization, indicating that heavy metals were immobilized by the mycorrhiza and the heavy metal translocations to the shoot were decreased.     

Main nutrient compounds in food bodies of Mexican <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia</Emphasis> ant-plants

Summary. Myrmecophytic plants use obligate ant mutualists as a constitutive indirect defence mechanism. These plants often produce cellular food bodies (FBs) to nourish their resident ants. Lipids, proteins, and even highly specialised compounds such as glycogen have been reported from FBs, but detailed chemical analyses of FB composition have so far been presented only for Southeast Asian Macaranga and Central American Piper myrmecophytes. Here we report the chemical composition of FBs of five myrmecophytic Acacia (Fabaceae) species from Mexico using HPLC (carbohydrates and proteins) and GC-MS (lipids). Feeding experiments revealed no hints on any use of external food sources by the inhabiting Pseudomyrmex ants. These ants obviously rely completely on FBs and extrafloral nectar provided by their hosts. The total content of nutrients in Acacia FBs was 15-25% of FB dry mass, being much lower than in Macaranga or Piper FBs. Proteins were dominating (8-14 % dm) in Acacia FBs and thus were present in higher amounts than in Macaranga FBs, yet in lower amounts than in Piper. Lipids contributed 1-9 % of dry mass, showing a lower proportion than in FBs of Macaranga or Piper. Carbohydrates made up 3-11 % dm, reaching in most Acacia species the same range as observed in Macaranga and in Piper FBs. Water content was 18-24 % of FB fresh mass, and structural tissue obviously made up a much higher proportion in Acacia FBs than in Macaranga or Piper FBs. Both characters might represent an adaptation to producing FBs unprotected at the leaf tips under dry conditions. Acacia FBs contain all amino acids and all fatty acids that are considered essential for insects, and their contents of lipids and proteins are higher than in the leaves from which they are ontogenetically derived. This indicates a putatively adaptive enrichment of nutritionally valuable compounds in structures functioning as ant-food.     

Toxicity assays of ladybirds using natural predators

Nestling blue titsParus caeruleus L. were given diets containing homogenized ladybirds, to assess the effects of their chemical defences. The 2spot, 10spot and water ladybirds produced no apparent toxic effects when small numbers were given at regular intervals.The pine and kidney-spot ladybirds slightly inhibit growth and may be toxic to very young nestlings. The Water ladybird is extremely distasteful to this predator, despite its lack of toxicity. The results are discussed with reference to the proposed Müllerian and Batesian mimetic relationships between the ladybird species.     

Net energetic advantage drives honey bees (Apis mellifera L) to nectar larceny in Vaccinium ashei Reade

Carpenter bees (Xylocopa spp.) act as primary nectar thieves in rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade), piercing corollas laterally to imbibe nectar at basal nectaries. Honey bees (Apis mellifera L) learn to visit these perforations and thus become secondary nectar thieves. We tested the hypothesis that honey bees make this behavioral switch in response to an energetic advantage realized by nectar-robbing flower visits. Nectar volume and sugar quantity were higher in intact than perforated flowers, but bees (robbers) visiting perforated flowers were able to extract a higher percentage of available nectar and sugar so that absolute amount of sugar (mg) removed by one bee visit is the same for each flower type. However, because perforated flowers facilitate higher rates of bee flower visitation and the same or higher rates of nectar ingestion, they are rendered more profitable than intact flowers in temporal terms. Accordingly, net energy (J) gain per second flower handling time was higher for robbers on most days sampled. We conclude that the majority evidence indicates an energetic advantage for honey bees that engage in secondary nectar thievery in V. ashei.Communicated by R. Page