US mathematicians have figured out why flowers pollinated by bees have sweeter nectar than those visited by butterflies. The significant factor is whether an insect is able to dip their tongue in the flower or whether they can suck up the liquid nectar. The sweeter nectar is thicker and the bees ability to dip their tongues in the flower is the ideal way to get to it. When the nectar is less thick it is favored by butterflies who suck the nectar with their proboscis.
Although it was know that bees visited flowers with sweeter nectar than butterflies, it was not understood why. It took using mathematical models for researchers to be able to find out what feeding method was best for drinking nectar with varying sweetness. The results of the study are published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Optimal concentrations in nectar feeding
Read more at BBC News Dipping tongues allow bees to drink the sweetest nectar.
Natural History Wanderings 
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