Bee Season
Bee seasons depend largely on the seasonal patterns of flowers. After hibernating over the winter, bees awaken in time to collect pollen and nectar from their preferred plants; flowering plants also bloom in correspondence with the arrival of their most effective pollinators. Certain bee species are active pollinators during certain seasons, as native flowering plants and bees have established a relationship throughout their lengthy evolution.
During spring in the United States, when the California ornamental poppies bloom, two distinct bee genera visit these flowers - the megachilid and the andrenid bees. These two bee genera are rarely found after spring. Summer is the season of different megachilid bee genera, such as the melissodes. Bees from the agapostemon texana species are not seen during summer seasons and instead thrive in early fall, during which time they feed on gardens in the Bay Area of San Francisco. Some bees have no seasonal preferences and feed off of a variety of flowering plants. Exotic honey bees, for example, are common sights throughout the year.
Understanding bee seasons and the flower preferences of certain bee species could facilitate pollination and assist in both commercial and personal gardening.
