A study on the pollen sources for honey bees in Udine province (Northern Italy)

The most important pollen plants (in northeastern Italy) were identified at the end of March 2003. In this period pollen loads were collected, grouped according to colour and 142 slides prepared. Using an optical microscope, the different plant pollens were identified. The relationship between pollen load colours and pollen plants was studied; pollen plants that were preferentially vis-ited by honey bees were identified. Taraxacum officinale Weber, Fraxinus, Salix, Liliaceae races and Populus resulted the most important pollen plants, in this area. Bee crops often consisted of different pollen types. Key words: pollen loads, pollen load colours, pollen plants, pollen load traps