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.