On 29-Nov-14, at 8:21 PM, randy oliver wrote:

>>  Note that honey bees, which
> evolved in Europe, often avoid collecting pollen from New World crops
> (corn, sunflower, cucurbits) if there are Old World plants within  
> flight
> range.
>
>

Hi Randy and all

I have kept bees at this location, trees and wildflowers(nearest  
agriculture 2 km), for over 40 years.  During that time, some plants  
have become more plentiful.  Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) is one  
that arrived from Europe and provides early pollen seen on my bees  
before dandelion blooms.  While I am pleased about the early natural  
pollen, are my bees helping this invasive plant spread in my area?   
Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), however, has almost  
disappeared from my locale in spite of the river and pond next to my  
apiary.

Bob Darrell
Caledon Ontario
Canada
44N80W

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html