The Alfalfa HoneyBees – An Observation

In Wyoming County, the drought of the winter, spring, summer, and fall of 2016 was devastating for local honeybee populations.

 

In Wyoming County, the drought of the spring, summer, and fall of 2016 was devastating for local honeybee populations. Fall nectars and pollens are critical for colony build-up for the winter.  If the honeybees cannot get the fats and lipids they need, survival is greatly affected. Though keepers can provide pollen patties and other honeybee feeds, these often are not enough.

The Alfalfa Honeybees 1 21idvbt

The Bee Tree in April 2017, alfalfa field in background.

Many local hobby and sideline keepers reported partial or total colony losses for the past winter and this spring.  The previous summer I had been keeping track of a wild honeybee tree on the edge of an alfalfa field, and wondered, ‘if honeybees that are being fed can’t survive, how could wild bees?’ Of course, a good queen and hive strength are a big factor, but so are food sources. In a completely non-scientific way, I started making trips again to monitor the bee tree, a gnarled old locust. In March I saw no indication of life, though it was sunny and the temperatures were in the 50’s. I returned two more times in March, during mild days.  Again, nothing.

My fourth trip to the bee tree was on April 17 on a cool, sunny day. I was sure the colony had perished.  To my amazement, there were a number of honeybees buzzing in and out of the tree!  As an amateur beekeeper, this was fascinating. The colony had survived, and was now visiting a nearby swamp loaded with pussy willow catkins and lined with henbit and deadnettle blossoms, important early foods for the honeybees.

How had this colony managed to survive the drought? One factor might be the alfalfa field next to this tree. Last summer the local alfalfa fields were in full bloom three times. It’s rare to see this happen, because current dairy recommendations are to cut alfalfa at the bud stage to achieve proper nutrients for dairy cattle. All alfalfa fields have some blossoms, but during the drought, the stressed plants put out full blossoms early. Farm owners operate on a set harvest schedule, which allowed these blooming fields to stand uncut for some time. The fragrance was dramatic, and this sea of purple blooms was literally alive with all sorts of pollinators. The alfalfa blossom itself is not easy to access, it literally smacks the honeybee in the head; pollen deposit is the purpose of this tripping mechanism. Nevertheless, there were countless honeybees working the field.

Alfalfa nectar has been reported to be a major food source for honeybees in terms of pounds of honey per acre, when they can get to the blossoms. It seems the deep-rooted plants provided nectar and pollen when other sources may have been dried out, such as clovers and goldenrod.

I will continue to watch this fascinating wild colony, especially since last year they produced two valuable swarms. I have the great good fortune here in Wyoming County to be able to work with experienced keepers who generously share their knowledge and wisdom on this and many other honeybee subjects.   As one keeper said, “Nature finds a way.”

‘Learn about the NYS Beekeeper Tech Team, which works with beekeepers to improve honeybee health, reduce colony losses, and improve the profitability of the beekeeping industry.’   – 2016 NYS Beekeeper Tech Team Report, March 2017.

Debra Welch

Debra Welch is an Ag & Natural Resources Association Program Educator at CCE Wyoming County in the Agriculture Department.  Beekeeping is one of her programs, as well as a hobby. She can be reached at djw275@cornell.edu.

4 Comments

  1. Avatar of Bill Bill on September 14, 2018 at 10:16 am

    Tara, Have you noticed in these Alfalfa field that the base of the flower has a hole nip out of it? Often times, this is how the Honey Bee is gain access to the Alfalfa nectar.

    • klr235 on September 17, 2018 at 1:57 pm

      Hi Bill,
      I would recommend reaching out to the author of this article, Debra, with your inquiry.

  2. Avatar of Elijah Elijah on July 18, 2022 at 11:21 am

    Honey Bees learn to collect the nectar without getting slapped in the face when the stigma is tripped. This is why Honey bees are not good pollinators for alfalfa but are still good at collecting Honey

  3. Avatar of açık parfüm açık parfüm on October 24, 2023 at 5:35 pm

    Dear Debra Welch,

    Thank you for your insightful article about the Alfalfa HoneyBees in Wyoming County. It’s clear that your observations and dedication to these bees provide a valuable perspective on the challenges they face.

    The devastating drought in 2016 and its impact on local honeybee populations are concerning. Your explanation of the importance of fall nectars and pollens for colony build-up during winter sheds light on the critical role these resources play in honeybee survival. Your mention of the challenges keepers face in providing adequate nutrition, even with pollen patties and other feeds, highlights the severity of the situation.

    Your personal involvement in monitoring a wild honeybee colony near an alfalfa field is both fascinating and commendable. The fact that the colony survived despite your initial concerns is a testament to the resilience of honeybees. Your observations of the honeybees visiting a nearby swamp with pussy willow catkins and various blossoms provide insight into their adaptability in finding alternative food sources.

    The connection between the alfalfa field and honeybee survival is an important one. The rare circumstances of full bloom in alfalfa fields due to the drought stress and a delayed harvest schedule created an environment teeming with pollinators. The description of the sea of purple blooms and the honeybees working diligently in these fields paints a vivid picture of their determination.

    Your mention of alfalfa nectar as a major food source for honeybees, especially when other sources are scarce, underscores the importance of diverse forage options for these essential pollinators.

    It’s heartening to know that you’ll continue to monitor the wild colony’s progress, especially after they produced two valuable swarms last year. Your collaboration with experienced keepers and your dedication to sharing knowledge are instrumental in the study and preservation of honeybee populations.

    The closing quote, “Nature finds a way,” serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the natural world, and your article exemplifies the importance of understanding and protecting these remarkable creatures.

    Thank you for sharing your observations and insights on the Alfalfa HoneyBees in Wyoming County.

    Sincerely,

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