“…recent depletion (of flower nectar) by other pollinators may be indicated by scent marks or electrostatic “traces”” (doi:10.1093/beheco/arv010). – So what are electrostatic traces? Bees become + or – when approaching their colony depending on whether the colony is filled with + (on a sunny day) or – (on a rainy day). This helps bees decide whether to go out or not! They also transfer their + charges to the usually negatively-charged flowers, rendering them slightly positive for a short time and signaling to other bees that the flower is rewarding. One last thing, pollen molecules literally fly up and stick to bees because of the opposing charges. Look that up; cool pictures! (Mar 16 2016)
“starlings…deliberately choose specific plants (that they find with their sense of smell) to include in their nests. The aromatic compounds emitted by these plants boost immune systems of chicks and reduce their bacterial loads” ANDÂ “Corsican blue tits also add plant material to their nests…lavender (Lavandula stoechas), mint (Mentha suaveolens) and an aster (Helichrysum italicum)….add fresh plant fragments throughout the nesting period. When researchers experimentally removed these aromatic plants from their nests, the birds quickly replaced them.” (link, a friend shared, Jun 20 2016)