When a bee returns to its hive after foraging for nectar, it brings back not only sweet nectar, but also pollen that sticks to its legs and body. The colour of the pollen on the bee's legs can actually reveal what type of plant the bee has visited, making it an important tool for beekeepers and botanists alike.
But just how does one "read" the colour of pollen on a bee's legs? To start, it's important to understand that different plants produce pollen of different colours and sizes. Bees are naturally attracted to flowers that produce the most nectar and pollen, and they'll collect pollen from these flowers and bring it back to the hive to feed their colony. Over time, beekeepers have learned to recognise the colour of pollen on a bee's legs and match it to the type of plant it was gathered from.
So, what are some of the most common colours of pollen you might see on a bee's legs?
Yellow: Yellow pollen is one of the most common colours you'll see on a bee's legs. It is typically collected from plants in the legume family, such as clovers, alfalfa, and soybeans.
Orange: Orange pollen is often collected from members of the sunflower family, such as sunflowers, daisies, and goldenrod.
Green: Green pollen is collected from a variety of plants, including grasses, weeds, and trees like willows and birches.
Blue: Blue pollen is a less common color, and is usually collected from plants in the bluebell family, such as bluebells and hyacinths.
Red: Red pollen is typically collected from plants in the composites family, such as asters, chrysanthemums, and dahlias.
It's worth noting that not all pollen is easy to identify based solely on colour. Some plants produce pollen that is similar in colour, making it difficult to determine the exact type of plant the bee has visited. In these cases, beekeepers might also consider the size and shape of the pollen to help with identification. We have been using this book from the University of Cardiff Press. Its exceptionally well referenced and detailed. The one drawback is that the images are in black and white. That came as a bit of a surprise when colour was the mean feature we were looking for with the naked eye rather than using microscopy.
Much more useful for beekeeper is a colourful guide. There are several on the market. While pollens will vary depending on the country you are in, the guide below is a helpful general overview and will allow you to identify the majority of the common pollens you will see bees lugging around in Scotland the United Kingdom.
So, why is it important to know the colour of pollen on a bee's legs? For one, it can help beekeepers determine the health of their colonies. If a beekeeper sees a large amount of one color of pollen on a bee's legs, it could indicate that the bees are relying heavily on just one type of plant for food. This could be a sign of a problem with the colony, such as a lack of diversity in the plants available for the bees to forage.
Additionally, knowing the colour of pollen on a bee's legs can also help with identifying any potential pesticides or other chemicals that might be affecting the health of the bees and their colony. If a beekeeper sees a significant decrease in the amount of one type of pollen, it could indicate that the plant producing that pollen has been affected by a pesticide.
In conclusion, the color of pollen on a bee's legs is a valuable tool for beekeepers and botanists alike. By understanding the different colors of pollen and what they indicate, you can gain insight into the health of a bee colony and the plants that the bees are visiting. References:
"The Hive and the Honey Bee" by L.L. Langstroth, a classic reference book for beekeepers.
"The Beekeeper's Handbook" by Diana Sammataro and Alphonse Avitabile, a comprehensive guide to beekeeping practices, including pollen collection and identification.
"Beekeeping for Dummies" by Howland Blackiston, a beginner-friendly guide to beekeeping that covers the basics of pollen collection and identification.
The "Journal of Apicultural Research," a peer-reviewed scientific journal that publishes articles on various aspects of bee biology, including pollen collection and identification.
"Bee Biology and Beekeeping" by Dewey M. Caron and Lawrence John Connor, a comprehensive textbook on bee biology and beekeeping practices, including information on pollen collection and identification.
Our home in Renfrewshire is called Ben Seillean. Ben Seillean means hill of the bees in Scots Gaelic. We love bees and are investing in making the perfect garden to nurture our bees through the year. Heather, lavender, wild flower meadows and beautiful bulbs keep the garden in bloom from early spring to late autumn.
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