Pollen sources in the Bojanów forest complex identified on honeybee pollen load by microscopic analysis

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine sources of pollen for the honeybee in the Bojanów forest complex, Nowa Dęba Forest District (southeastern Poland). Sampling of pollen loads from bees extended from the beginning of May until the end of September 2016 and was carried out at 7-day intervals using pollen traps mounted at the entrance of beehives. A total of 73 pollen load samples were collected from the study area.Fifty-nine taxa from 31 plant families were identified in the analyzed material. From 4 to 21 taxa (average 9.5) were recorded in one sample. The pollen of Brassicaceae ("others"), Taraxacum type, Solidago type, and Rumex had the highest frequency in the pollen loads examined. Apart from these four taxa, pollen grains of Rubus type, Poaceae ("others"), Calluna, Fagopyrum, Trifolium repens s. l., Phacelia, Aster type, Melampyrum, Quercus, Cornus, and Veronica were recorded in the dominant pollen group. The forest habitat taxa that provided pollen rewards to honeybees in the Bojanów forest complex were the following: Rubus, Calluna, Prunus, Tilia, Frangula alnus, Pinus, Quercus, Cornus, Robinia pseudoacacia, Salix, and Vaccinium. Apart from forest vegetation, the species from meadows and wastelands adjacent to this forest complex, represented by Taraxacum, Rumex, Plantago, Poaceae, Trifolium repens, and Solidago, proved to be an important source of pollen. The study indicates that forest communities are a valuable source of pollen for pollinating insects from early spring through to late fall.

Non-Forest Woody Vegetation: A Critical Resource for Pollinators in Agricultural Landscapes—A Review

“…Its pollen is willingly collected by honey bees and Osmia spp. [20,102,108] Willows (e.g., Salix caprea L.), maple (Acer platanoides L.), and wild plums (Prunus spinosa L. and P. cerasifera Ehrh.) are recommended for nectar and pollen enrichment in April [63,78].…”

“…In particular, flowers of willows-Salix, plum-Prunus, linden-Tilia, maple-Acer, horse chestnut-Aesculus, hawthorn-Crataegus, and locust-Robinia are willingly visited by bees [32,52,68,89]. Additionally, pollinators can use pollen from anemophilous woody species, e.g., hazelnut-Corylus avellana, oak-Quercus L., and ash-Fraxinus L. pollen, is collected by honey bees [108,120], while Osmia spp. collect Betula, Juglans, Populus, and Quercus pollen [34,90,91,121,122].…”