A new study in the Colorado Rockies shows that wild bees actively choose flowers to balance their intake of protein, fats, and carbohydrates. Over eight years, researchers tracked eight bumblebee species and analyzed the pollen they collected. They found protein levels ranged from 17% to 86% and shifted with the seasons, with spring flowers richer in protein and late-summer flowers higher in fats and carbs. Individual bees adjusted their diets as their colonies grew, reflecting changing nutritional needs.
The research also revealed distinct nutrient niches among species: larger bees with longer tongues favored protein-rich pollen, while smaller bees preferred pollen higher in carbohydrates and fats. These findings highlight the importance of conserving floral diversity to ensure bees have access to a balanced diet, which is essential for healthy pollinator populations and the ecosystems and food systems they support.
