Flowering Plants Preferred by Bumblebees (Bombus Latr.) in the Botanical Garden of Medicinal Plants in Wrocław

• Published in: Journal of Apicultural Science Vol. 60; no. 2; pp. 59 - 68
• Main Authors: Sikora, Aneta, Michołap, Paweł, Kelm, Maria
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Pulawy De Gruyter Open 01.12.2016; De Gruyter Poland; Sciendo
• Subjects: Agastache rugosa; Bombus; Bombus pascuorum; Bombus pratorum; botanical gardens; Bumblebees; Flowering; Flowering plants; Flowers & plants; Foraging habitats; gardens; Gardens & gardening; habitats; Herbal medicine; Herbivores; Host preferences; Host selection; Indicator species; Indicators; indigenous species; Lavandula angustifolia; Medicinal plants; Monarda didyma; Oregano; Origanum vulgare; Phacelia tanacetifolia; Plant species; Poland; Pollinators; Rhododendron catawbiense; Rural areas; urban areas; Wroclaw Poland; Poland
• ISSN: 2299-4831; 1643-4439; 2299-4831
• DOI: 10.1515/jas-2016-0017

Due to fewer bumblebees in rural areas these days, it is necessary to look for alternative habitats for the active protection of these very important pollinators. The research was carried out in The Botanical Garden of Medicinal Plants, in Wrocław, Poland. In the garden, approximately 2000 plant species were cultivated, of which 185 were visited by bumblebees. Amongst them, 57 plant species were deemed very attractive and were determined to be indicators for 7 bumblebee species. Indicator species for bumblebees ranged between 6 for to up to 20 for . was an indicator plant to 6 recorded bumblebee species. Other indicator plant species for at least 4 bumblebees species were: , , , , and . Three bumblebee species were found to forage the most on 11 of the flowering plant species. The biggest group of plants were those which were mostly visited by 1-2 bumblebee species. Amongst all recorded indicator plants, 32% were native species.