Worldwide Beekeeping

Worldwide Beekeeping Resource Library => Honey, Bee Forage; Nectar & Pollen Sources => Topic started by: riverbee on January 26, 2014, 11:30:32 am

Title: The Color of Pollen
Post by: riverbee on January 26, 2014, 11:30:32 am
the colors of different pollen.  here is some info to help identify the pollen your bees might be bringing in, and the possible source.  these charts also include the rest of the year.

this one is a great pdf in color: (i have also uploaded the pdf file)

THE COLOR OF POLLEN (http://www.howardcountybeekeepers.org/images/Files/pollen_color1.pdf)

this is from wikipedia and mimics the above link, but all of the columns can be sorted:

POLLEN SOURCE (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollen_source)

and from across the pond, the UK:

BEEMAN POLLEN COLOUR (http://www.the-beeman.co.uk/pollen-colour-17-w.asp)

and, just for jen, or all california keeps, some info on california native plants:

this pdf file is from The U C Davis Laidlaw Department of Entomology, their website is under construction so if the link gets broken let me know. i have also uploaded a pdf file of the original page:

CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANTS THAT BEES VISIT
 (http://archive.beebiology.ucdavis.edu/HONEYBEES/floralvisits.html)

PDF uploaded on this file as well:
Impact of Honey Bees on the California Environment (http://entomology.ucdavis.edu/files/147620.pdf)


Title: Re: The Color of Pollen
Post by: Jen on January 26, 2014, 02:22:22 pm
Riv- Hey Thanks!  8)
Title: Re: The Color of Pollen
Post by: riverbee on January 26, 2014, 05:34:03 pm
your welcome jen!
Title: Re: The Color of Pollen
Post by: tmrschessie on May 09, 2014, 11:10:11 am
Great post ....thanks much. Tom
Title: Re: The Color of Pollen
Post by: riverbee on May 11, 2014, 12:24:15 am
your welcome tom!
Title: Re: The Color of Pollen
Post by: blueblood on May 11, 2014, 09:03:16 am
Good reference, thanks River!
Title: Re: The Color of Pollen
Post by: riverbee on May 11, 2014, 04:44:43 pm
it is a good reference blue, and you are welcome!
Title: Re: The Color of Pollen
Post by: CpnObvious on August 05, 2014, 12:09:15 pm
I've seen a lot of super dark green coming in.  Based on these links, I don't think I should be seeing any this color.  ideas?
Title: Re: The Color of Pollen
Post by: riverbee on August 08, 2014, 12:37:56 pm
capn, hard to say without knowing what you have growing in your area.
Title: Re: The Color of Pollen
Post by: IanMcKay on August 26, 2014, 07:40:10 am
We have a good number coming back the last few days absolutely covered in very pure white pollen. They look albino. We are trying to track down the source and will let you know if we find it. This is Nova Scotia, late August.
Title: Re: The Color of Pollen
Post by: IanMcKay on September 03, 2014, 08:40:18 am
An update. I believe the culprit is White Turtleshead. It is in bloom right now and leaves a distinct white band on the bees back according to several biologists and plant people I have been speaking with. I will be heading off into a recent, wet clear cut [ugh] area that is a likely spot near the hives. If I find the bees I will let you know.
Title: Re: The Color of Pollen
Post by: riverbee on September 03, 2014, 12:01:36 pm
ian, hope you remember to take a picture if that's what you find?
Title: Re: The Color of Pollen
Post by: jayj200 on September 16, 2014, 05:28:13 pm
yes thanks

shame not too much from the south

some good pics with each flavor

then a reference to the smell from the hive

that would be great let all chime in
Title: Re: The Color of Pollen
Post by: Beeboy on December 08, 2014, 03:40:46 pm
Today is Dec. the 8th. The temp is in the upper 50's, & I have a lot of bees flying today. One thing that surprised me even more was that I saw a little bit of pollen coming in. It was a very bright orange. What in the world can these bees be finding on Dec. 8th after some very cold temps. We had a spell before thanksgiving that got down to 12 degrees, & the highs were below freezing. What gives?
Title: Re: The Color of Pollen
Post by: iddee on December 08, 2014, 03:53:21 pm
GOLDENROD AND I IMAGINE SEVERAL OTHERS HOLD THEIR POLLEN ALL WINTER. THE BEES CAN ALWAYS FIND A BIT OF POLLEN. NECTAR, THO, IS ANOTHER STORY.

Sorry for the caps, but I'm not typing it over.
Title: Re: The Color of Pollen
Post by: tbonekel on December 08, 2014, 10:00:22 pm
It seems we always have dandelion blooming around here.
Title: Re: The Color of Pollen
Post by: Bee Commander on November 08, 2015, 07:46:25 pm
Thanks for CA one!