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In an effort to support the vital pollinators in Ohio, resources such as a specialist bee handout and a bee food pyramid are now available for gardeners who want to create pollinator-friendly spaces.
The bee handout, an Ohio native plant list, provides a practical guide for gardeners to choose plants that attract and nourish bees. This list is particularly useful for those who wish to provide a diverse and nutritious diet for these hardworking insects.
Bees, like us, need energy for foraging, which they obtain from the carbohydrates found in nectar. However, the nutritional value of pollen and nectar varies among plant species, and proteins and lipids obtained from pollen are essential for the development of bee larvae.
Different bee species have specific nutritional requirements. For instance, honey bees prefer pollen with a relatively high protein content, around 19% or more, to ensure the nutritional needs of their offspring. On the other hand, stingless bees and other eusocial bees rely on diverse pollen sources to balance protein and lipids optimally.
The literature does not provide a single definitive "optimal ratio" universally applicable across all bee species. Instead, it emphasises the importance of a diverse pollen diet that meets specific protein and lipid requirements suited to each species’ offspring development.
The bee food pyramid, a visual representation of different plants found in Ohio and their nutritional values, highlights a variety of flowers that meet the nutritional needs of different bee species. The pyramid includes a mix of flowers that cater to bees with varying protein and lipid preferences.
A study titled "Pollen protein: Lipid macronutrient ratios may guide broad patterns of bee species floral preferences" provides insights into how bees choose their food sources based on the protein-to-lipid ratios of pollen. Another study, "Pollen nutritional content and digestibility for animals," delves into the nutritional aspects of pollen and its digestibility for bees.
For those interested in learning more about bees and their nutritional needs, resources such as the Pollinator Partnership, the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, and the Ohio State University bee lab are excellent places to start. A book titled "Nectaries and nectar," published by Springer Dordrecht, and a science bulletin titled "Bee nourished: How pollen nutrition shapes bee foraging habits and what it means for restoration" are also valuable sources of information.
By understanding the nutritional needs of bees and providing them with a diverse and nutritious diet, we can help ensure the health and survival of these important pollinators. So, let's get gardening and create pollinator-friendly spaces!
[1] Variations in nutritional requirements across bee species, Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems [2] Eusocial bees collect pollen from diverse plants to achieve a balanced nutrient ratio, Journal of Apicultural Research
- The bee food pyramid, a useful resource for gardeners, showcases various Ohio flowers with different nutritional values, catering to the diverse nutritional needs of various bee species.
- Proteins and lipids obtained from pollen are crucial for the development of bee larvae, making it essential to provide a diet that suits their specific nutritional needs.
- In the study "Pollen protein: Lipid macronutrient ratios may guide broad patterns of bee species floral preferences," researchers explore how bees choose their food sources based on pollen's protein-to-lipid ratios.
- To learn more about bees and their nutritional requirements, resources such as the Pollinator Partnership, the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, and the Ohio State University bee lab offer valuable information.
- By making our gardens pollinator-friendly and providing a diverse and nutritious diet for bees, we contribute to food and drink, environmental-science, and the home-and-garden lifestyle that prioritizes health-and-wellness, nutrition, and the conservation of pollinators.
- In the book "Nectaries and nectar," published by Springer Dordrecht, and a science bulletin titled "Bee nourished: How pollen nutrition shapes bee foraging habits and what it means for restoration," detailed insights about bee nutritional needs and foraging habits are presented.
- Understanding the nutritional needs of bees and taking steps to support them through our gardening practices can positively impact climate-change, as well as the future of agriculture and the fashion-and-beauty industry that relies on pollinators for a variety of crops.
