New Study Reveals Australian Honeybees’ Favourite Legume Flowers

IMAGE: A new study by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development reveals the favourite pasture legume flowers of Australian honey bees - Balansa Clover is one of those that prove highly enticing to the bees.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW DPIRD) has released a new report revealing the pasture legume flowers that are most attractive to Australian honeybees.

NSW DPIRD senior research scientist and Clover4Bees project leader Dr Richard Hayes said primary producers had always had the option to use forage legumes that support honey production, thereby enhancing resources for honeybees and fostering collaboration with apiarists.

Little was known of the relative value of the range of pasture legume species for honeybees, though - until now.

The two-year pilot project, funded by AgriFutures Australia, evaluated 23 different pasture legume species across four NSW DPIRD research stations, focusing on their flower attributes, bee preferences, and nectar characteristics.

“Out of 23 pasture legume species, six leading contenders were selected based on their flower attributes, bee preferences, and nectar characteristics,” Dr Hayes said.

“Species like subterranean clover and biserrula were found to have low nectar yields and sugar concentrations, resulting in few bee visits.”

“Meanwhile, our top performers were woolly pod vetch and arrowleaf clover, which showed high potential due to their attractiveness to bees.”

Balansa clover, gland clover, Persian clover, and crimson clover were also identified as highly enticing for honeybees, making them excellent candidates for supporting honey production and pollination.

Dr Hayes said the Clover4Bees project highlights the need for further research and collaboration with other agricultural sectors to enhance the use of these legumes.

“The results have come at a crucial time as environmental challenges and limited access to public lands have prompted the honeybee industry to explore alternative floral resources,” Dr Hayes said.

“By creating a more pollinator-friendly landscape, all Australian agricultural industries can collectively ensure the sustainability of honey production and support the health of bee populations in the face of challenges like the varroa mite.”

Visit the AgriFutures website to view the report and find more information on NSW DPIRD honeybee research.