Relationship Between Bumblebees & Daisies

Pollination

• As pollinators, bumblebees are well-suited for pollinating many types of flowers. They use a technique called buzz pollination. When a bumblebee alights on a flower, it grabs the pollen-bearing anthers and vibrates its body to shake as much pollen loose as possible. While this mode of pollination is particularly well-suited for tomatoes and blueberries, bumblebees use it on all the flowers they pollinate, even daisies.

Bumblebees in Danger

• Habitat loss, pesticide use and even diseases introduced by farmed bees are threatening the existence of native bumblebee populations. As bumblebees decline, the native flowers they pollinate decline as well. According to the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, species of native flowers in decline include daisies. If wildflowers disappear as a result of bumblebee loss, there will be less food for native birds and other animals. Protecting native habitats starts with protecting bees.

Native Daisies

• The Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center recommends planting native daisies in your garden for pollinators such as bumblebees. Tetraneuris scaposa, or the four-nerve daisy, is found from Kansas to Texas and New Mexico. It is a yellow-centered daisy with yellow petals veined in purple. Tetraneuris linearifolia, the fineleaf fournerve daisy, has a delicate rosette of leaves at the base of a 5-inch stem. Its yellow rays contain between six and 15 petals.

Saving Bumblebees

• In addition to planting native daisies, there are other ways to attract and protect bumblebees. Tie bamboo or bundles of twigs to trees to create nesting cavities. Allow for bare patches of soil in your yard for burrowing species. Bees prefer blue, white or yellow petaled flowers. Many daisies, such as the ox-eye daisy, are white-petaled with yellow centers. Plant flowers in clusters, and plant varieties that bloom at different times during the year. Avoid the use of pesticides, as they are harmful to bees.