[Pollinator] toxic nectars?

[Scott Ruhren]

Dear list members,

I have been working with a common forested wetland species (false hellebore;
Veratrum viride; Liliaceae) that, according to the literature, is reputed to
have toxic nectar (a fascinating topic in itself!). I am intrigued by the
number of arthropod orders and species that visit the flowers in particular
ants. Do many of the visitors end up dead? In the pollinator literature ants
are usually described as ineffective pollinators at best. My questions are:
1. What are inexpensive yet effective assays to evaluate toxicity without
elaborate captive colonies of insects? What sort of time frame is necessary
to evaluate toxicity? I imagine much of this is species-specific. Finally,
how much would a nectar chemical profile cost? By the way, I have reviewed
the literature on the toxins in the plant, largely alkaloids, but the slant
is toward pharmacology; little natural history has been published on V.
viride. Any hints, suggestions, references etc. would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Scott

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Scott Ruhren, Ph.D.
Director of Properties and Acquisitions
Audubon Society of Rhode Island
12 Sanderson Road
Smithfield, RI 02917-2600

401-949-5454 (Ext. 3004)