Sucrose, glucose and fructose concentrations in the nectars of three species of Citrus were determined by gas-liquid chromatography. The percentage of sucrose in these nectars decreased as the flowers matured, thus presenting a changing hexose:sucrose ratio to foraging honey bees ( Apis mellifera L.). Citrus macrophylla Wester, a species reported to be highly attractive to honey bees, secreted and maintained the highest sucrose content. Citrus depressa Hayata and ‘Fairchild’ tangerine, both relatively less attractive to honey bees, had less sucrose content in nectars from all ages of flowers tested.
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Loper et al. (1976) studied this question.