Initial data on the specific heterogeneity found in the bee pollen loads produced in the Pontevedra region (north‐west Spain)

Abstract

Heterogeneous pollen load frequency from a beehive located in the Morcón (Pontevedra, north‐west Spain) was recorded. Samples of pollen loads were obtained weekly between May and July using pollen traps, and the accumulated pollen was removed at different times. Of the total analysed pollen loads an average heterogeneity percentage of approximately 5% was recorded. The pollen load heterogeneity consisted of mixed pellets with pollen of several species, but usually with one species (Erica umbellata L., Lythrum salicaria L., Lotus corniculatus L., Cytisus scoparius‐type, Castanea sativa Miller, Echium plantagineum L., Reseda media Lag., Erica cinerea L., Trifolium arvense L., Lonicera peryclimenum L., Scandix pecten‐veneris L., Calystegia sepium (L.) Br., Crepis capillaris (L.) Wallr., Eucalyptus globulus Labill., Plantago lanceolata L., ‐Raphanus raphanistrum L., Rubus ulmifolius‐ type or Poaceae) having higher values than others. It appears that mixed loads are not the result of flower deception but related to a decrease in pollen availability from plants the bees are currently foraging on that result in mixed foraging behaviour on other taxa.