Identifying Key Pollen and Nectar Resources for Vermont Honey Bees
Conference Year
January 2022
Abstract
Beekeepers in Vermont have long pondered the question of which flowers their bees are foraging on for nectar and pollen at specific times of the season. This study aimed to identify which plant sources Vermont honey bees are relying on for nectar and pollen from May through September. By understanding which plants bees are utilizing and when, more educated land use decisions can be made in order to protect and promote these important floral resources to support honey bee health as well as improve honey yields for beekeepers and support local agriculture.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Samantha Alger
Student Collaborators
Sydney Miller, Annelise Holland, Emily Wanzer, Natalie Connor
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Program/Major
Food Systems
Primary Research Category
Food & Environment Studies
Secondary Research Category
Vermont Studies
Tertiary Research Category
Biological Sciences
Identifying Key Pollen and Nectar Resources for Vermont Honey Bees
Beekeepers in Vermont have long pondered the question of which flowers their bees are foraging on for nectar and pollen at specific times of the season. This study aimed to identify which plant sources Vermont honey bees are relying on for nectar and pollen from May through September. By understanding which plants bees are utilizing and when, more educated land use decisions can be made in order to protect and promote these important floral resources to support honey bee health as well as improve honey yields for beekeepers and support local agriculture.