Heather Holms, Biologist, conservationist, and Author presented an excellent discussion, Native bee specialists, plant hosts, threats and conservationfor the Best Practices for Pollinators Summit 2024. I frantically took notes about the 6 bee families and the 20%-45% of native bees that are pollen and nectar specialists. Many of these native bee specialists use only pollen and/or nectar from one species or genus of plants, Narrow Oligolecty. Some, such as the bumblebee, are Polylecty, meaning they use pollen and /or nectar from more than 4 plant families. Heather shared a list of native plants that serve specialists throughout the season.
Plants for Native Bee Specialist throughout the seasons:
Salix (Willow)- female uses nectar & male pollen
Hydrophyllum (Waterleaf)
Geranium maculation (Wild Geranium)
Zizia (Golden Alexanders) carrot family
Dogwood shrubs (Cornus, Coral Red, Red Osier, Artic Fire)
Physalis (Ground Cherry) tomatilla
Dalea (Prairie Clover)
Amorpha (Leadplant, False Indigo)
Verbena, Vervain
Lysimachia (Loosestrife) oil secreting glands attract Native Bees
Monarda (Bergamot or Beebalm) stem nesting Native Bees
Cirsuim (Thistle) 31 of oligolectic specialists need Native Thistle
Rudbeckia (Gray-headed or Yellow Coneflower)
Vernonia (ironweed)
Cucurbita (Squash, pumpkin, melon) squash bee specialists nest 5” deep- NO TILL Helianthus (Sunflower)
Bunch Grasses (Bluestem) Dianthiduim simile Native Bee nest at base
Solidago and Euthamia (Golden rod) 3 species specific to nesting bees
Symphyotrichum Eurybia (Aster) 3 species specific to nesting bees Leave stem stubble of asters, bergamot, and beebalm.
Plant micro-garden with native perennials inside of a container.
Plant a shrubby hedgerow.
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