Insects, such as bumblebees, have a time and engergy budget when harvesting nectar.

Consider the way in which bumblebees optimize the search for nectar, butterflies adapt the speed at which they fly, and chamois survive harsh alpine winters: it is only by dispensing with any luxury that a creature can gain the critical advantage in the genetic battle, which ultimately results in a larger number of offspring and the long-term survival of the fittest.

Sulzer Technical Review, Issue 01/2009
Author(s): Herbert Cerutti
Division:

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