Conclusions
Our results highlight distinct pollen collection patterns between two
bee species in a northern temperate agricultural landscape, and support
the idea that foraging strategies can be used to predict how bees will
use resources in the landscape. Specifically, the dance communication of
honey bees was associated with a greater proportion of bees remaining
flower constant on foraging bouts, a behavior which would benefit seed
production of monoculture bee-pollinated crops. Furthermore, a lack of
preference suggests that abundance may be a primary driver of forage
selection in honey bees, another trait that favors monoculture
bee-pollinated crops. This contrasts with bumble bees that demonstrated
a preference for Fabaceae_Tricoloporate pollen, most likely alfalfa and
white clover, but an avoidance of Apiaceae, both plant types being
relatively abundant at the agricultural research station (Appendix Fig.
S2). Both bee species are polylectic and need a diverse pollen diet to
sustain their colonies, and both were able to collect a moderate
diversity of resources throughout the summer. Our results highlight the
importance of considering foraging strategies when developing
conservation schemes that promote pollinator health, and facilitate
pollinator-dependent crop production, along with other ecosystem
services related to plant-insect biodiversity.