North Carolina Bee School Practice Exam

Which of the following plants would benefit from buzz pollination?

1. Magnolia

2. Tomato

3. Rose

4. Cactus

The correct answer is: Tomato

Buzz pollination is a specific technique used by certain bees, particularly bumblebees, to effectively transfer pollen from the anthers of flowering plants. This method involves the bee grabbing onto the flower and vibrating its flight muscles, which dislodges pollen that is tightly held within the flower. Tomatoes are known to benefit from this form of pollination because their flowers contain tightly packed anthers that release pollen more efficiently when subjected to the vibrational frequencies produced by buzzing bees. This type of pollination is particularly effective for plants in the Solanaceae family, which includes not only tomatoes but also peppers and eggplants. The action facilitates fertilization, leading to better fruit set and overall yield for the plant. In contrast, plants like magnolias, roses, and cacti do not rely on this mechanism for effective pollination. They have different flower structures and pollination strategies that do not involve the vibrations associated with buzz pollination. Therefore, the association of buzz pollination is uniquely significant for tomatoes, making them the correct choice.