2012: Module 6

[Neils]

Go on then, I'm stuck on the first part of this question:

Some flowers have "lines" on their petals . What are they called and what is the significance of these lines with regard to foraging behaviour?

I have no idea what the lines are called and my google-fu has let me down.

[Bumble]

I haven't done any modules, but I can't imagine the answer changes depending on scientific discipline.

The lines are nectar guides.

The theory is that bees see the UV spectrum, so see flowers differently from us. The lines show up more clearly to bees, and presumably other pollinating insects, and guide them towards the nectary.

Some pictures showing 'normal', UV and IR flowers on this site http://www.naturfotograf.com/UV_flowers_list.html

Is this any use to you? http://blog.mbbka.org.uk/category/ed...bbka-module-6/

[Neils]

Thanks Bumble, I knew what they were, I just couldn't find a name for them, there I was trying to find something all fancy in Latin or Greek and it's plain English and under my nose all along.

I'm trying to resist using the mid bucks guides for now, there are some changes to the syllabus for 2012 that seem to be missing and while I like using it as a revision aid I also like to find the information for myself if I can.

[thada1]

Hi Nellie
I found your posts/thread via the magic of google (whilst looking for some guidance about marking of papers). It's good to find a thread on mod6, even tho' its getting a bit late in the day to be revising for the exam next week.

You might be interested in this link - examiners comments on a candidate for 2011's mod6.

I was very happy to find this American biologists website - he puts much of the contemporary view on primer pheromones into nice order, which is hard to do from the primary literature, if it's just a hobby! Warning though - it might turn your revision schedule on its head, as it's well written and detailed.

I do wonder though whether the examiners are interested in the contemporisation of understanding. There's a lot of reference to Morse and Hooper in the examiners' comments - a 28 yr book that costs >£50, when for the same price I got Honeybee Democracy and the Buzz about Bees!

Perhaps I'm just getting worried that I won't get a good mark in the exam.

[Neils]

Hi Thada,

The point about the mid bucks' guides is that they're for the 2011 syllabus/correspondence course. The question about nectar guides isn't in it. They're still good notes and hence why I use them for revision because the major stuff it does cover is very well done.

I can't speak for the BBKA but we do have people in our association who have and are involved in the BBKA education and I've certainly always been under the impression that if you can justify your answer by reference to more contemporary material that it would be given due consideration. Quoting Seeley or Tautz I doubt would be seen as controversial.

I'll check out the links and thanks, I'm sure they'll swiftly be added to my links. My revision "schedule" is fairly loose, I just work through the syllabus more or less point by point and find as much stuff out about it that I can.

[thada1]

I'm using the midbucks notes as the basis for my revision notes too. In some parts of the syllabus there doesn't seem much to add - and in other areas I've scribbled lots of additions. I'm treating myself to a couple of days at the national honey show at the weekend. I'll get to hear from Margaret Coullivon whether it still makes sense to talk about round, sickle and waggle dances. And what constitutes hygienic behaviour from Marla Spivak even though that seems not to be in syllabus - but interesting all the same.

[Neils]

I'd say Margaret Couvillon is worth listening to in the context of module 6 for sure I spotted a workshop being run at LASI a little while ago and took myself of there to have a look, very interesting to put it mildly.

"This American biologist" is Randy Oliver, I think it would be safe to say that many on this forum are familiar with his site

[Bumble]

Thanks Bumble, I knew what they were, I just couldn't find a name for them, there I was trying to find something all fancy in Latin or Greek and it's plain English and under my nose all along.

When you're used to dealing with more complex terminology it's easy to forget the names that hide themselves in plain sight.