The foraging activity of honey bees Apis mellifera and non—Apis bees on hybrid sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) and its influence on cross—pollination and seed set

Gloria DeGrandi-Hoffman, Joseph C. Watkins

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

51 Scopus citations

Abstract

The repercussions of concurrent foraging by honey bee (Apis mellifera) and non-Apis bee populations on cross-pollination and seed set in hybrid sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) was investigated. The amount of sunflower pollen on the bodies of honey bees foraging in rows of malesterile (MS) sunflowers was positively correlated with the size of the non-Apis bee population. The combined population of non-Apis bees and honey bees foraging on male-fertile (MF) and MS sunflowers also was positively correlated to seed set in MS rows. There were more honey bees than non-Apis bees foraging in MF and MS rows, but there was no evidence of competition for resources between the two populations. The size of the honey bee population was positively correlated to the area of open flowers on sunflower capitula, while the non-Apis population remained relatively constant throughout bloom. Results from this study indicate that a combined honey bee and non-Apis bee population might result in better pollination of hybrid sunflowers than either population alone.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)37-45
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Apicultural Research
Volume39
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000

Keywords

  • Apis mellifera
  • Cross-pollination
  • Foraging
  • Helianthus annuus
  • Honey bees
  • Hybrid sunflower
  • Non-Apis bees
  • Seed set

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Insect Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The foraging activity of honey bees Apis mellifera and non—Apis bees on hybrid sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) and its influence on cross—pollination and seed set'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this