The sugary substance that many insects get from flowers is nectar. Plants produce nectar in specialized glands called nectaries, usually inside flowers, where its sugars attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, moths and hoverflies.
Nectar is mainly water containing varying proportions of sucrose, glucose and fructose. It may also include amino acids, minerals and aromatic compounds. The composition and concentration can differ between plant species, and even change during the day as flowers respond to pollinator activity and environmental conditions.
Honey bees collect nectar and carry it back to the hive, where enzymes and repeated processing help convert it into honey. Nectar is not the same as pollen: pollen supplies protein and other nutrients, while nectar is primarily an energy-rich carbohydrate source. Some plants also have extrafloral nectaries on leaves or stems. These glands can attract ants and other insects that defend the plant against herbivores. The word “nectar” comes from the nectar of Greek mythology, the drink associated with the gods’ immortality.