An assessment of Vicia faba and Trifolium pratense as forage crops for Bombus hortorum

The suitability of Vicia faba and Trifolium pratense “Pawera” as forage for Bombus hortorum was investigated. Flower density, nectar volume per flower and pollen production were measured and the latter two compared with nutritional requirements of the bees at the measured bee population levels. Bombus hortorum was the numerically dominant bee species in V. faba compared with Apis mellifera in the later flowering T. pratense. Both crops supplied the nectar and pollen requirements of B. hortorum.