Pollinator cultivar choice: An assessment of season-long pollinator visitation among coreopsis, aster, and salvia cultivars

Abstract

Documented pollinator declines have encouraged the installation of pollinator plantings in residential, commercial and agricultural settings. Pollinator visitation among cultivars of coreopsis, salvia and asters was compared on 40 dates in a 2-year study resulting in 6,911 pollinator observations across all plant taxa with bees, butterflies and syrphids well-represented. Diversity of insect visitors was represented differently within the broad plant taxa salvia, coreopsis and asters. The most frequent visitors to coreopsis were the small bees with over 77% of visitors falling into this category. Salvia was most frequently visited by honey bees (36.4%) and carpenter bees (24%), although all the groups were represented. Syrphids were the group most commonly observed on asters (58.5%) with nearly 40% of the visitors being bee species. Nectar analysis was performed on salvia cultivars. However, differential attraction of pollinators to salvia cultivars could not be explained by volume of nectar produced per plant. Results from our cultivar comparisons provide data-based information to assist consumers in plant choice and present opportunities for future plant-specific pollinator census initiatives across a broader geographic range.

Evaluation of Select Monarda Taxa in Montane and Piedmont Regions of Georgia: II. Floral Morphology and Nectar Production

“…These factors could influence the foraging patterns and preferences of bee pollinators (Kalaman et al 2022;Leonhardt and Bl€ uthgen 2012). Our results are consistent with findings from a similar study on pollinator choice among Salvia species and cultivars (Braman et al 2022). Such empirical evidence provides detailed resource value of Monarda species and cultivars, which allows considerations for wildlife when designing urban landscapes (Kalaman et al 2022).…”

“…There are many published comparisons concerning the relative nutrient value and pollinator attraction of nonnative cultivars and native plants (Braman et al 2022;Native Plant Partnership 2014;Seitz et al 2020;Tew et al 2021;Williams et al 2011). Nectar production and foraging visitors are well documented by Cruden et al (1984) and Whitten (1981) among M. fistulosa and M. didyma, respectively, but to our knowledge, no research has been conducted assessing floral morphology and nectar production among cultivars and species within the genus.…”

Variations of floral temperature in changing weather conditions

“…This composite inflorescence acts as a floral display comparable to a flower in other groups. Like most Asteraceae (Mani and Saravanan, 1999), Coreopsis are visited by a range of visitors including bees and flies (Braman et al, 2022). All C. verticillata flowers were sampled within a c. 2361m² (approx.…”

Effect of Bed Preparation on Native Wildflower Establishment, Weed Control, and Arthropod Presence

“…Although perennial forbs planted as plugs has been previously used in research, the aim of those studies was assessing arthropod attraction [33][34][35][36], and the experiment was set up as a garden under irrigated conditions [37,38]. Evaluating plant establishment from transplants under non-irrigated conditions has not received much attention.…”