Author

Dr. Kimberly A. Stoner
Department of Entomology, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station

Overview

Dr. Kimberly Stoners article measured bee attractiveness of alternative flowering plants on vegetable farms. Stoners research has shown that vegetable crops are visited more frequently by wild bees than by honey bees.  The results uncovered that 98 different bee species visited 10 farms over two different growing seasons. Many of the bees collected were found on non-vegetable plants such as cover crops and wildflowers that benefit from bee pollination.

Barn in a field, with hills in the distance

Dr. Kimberly Stoner measured bee attractiveness of alternative flowering plants on vegetable farms. Dr. Stoner measured the numbers and diversity of bee visitors on the vegetable crops by timed observations and netting the bees. The study was limited to herbaceous annuals and perennials and took place from late April to mid-October. The study found that a total of 98 bee species visited 10 different farms over two growing seasons. The results showed that many of the bees collected were found on non-vegetable plants such as cover crops and wildflowers that benefit from bee pollination.

Abstract

This study shows that diversified vegetable farms in Connecticut support a diversity of bees – 98 species collected in only 2 growing seasons on 10 farms. Although we are only beginning to document the role of diverse wild bees in pollinating vegetable crops, many of the bees we collected on non-vegetable host plants – herbs, cut flowers, cover crops, weeds and wildflowers – on these vegetable farms have been shown to be visitors of vegetable crops that benefit from insect pollination.

Download Bees on Alternative Flowering Plants on Vegetable Farms in Connecticut