It's not just flowers that help the pollinators. Grass can too.
Bees may be relying on your lawn for their next meal, according to a new study from the University of Georgia.
A new study from the University of Georgia reveals that centipedegrass, a common turfgrass in the Southeast, can serve as a food source for bees. Despite bees typically pollinating flowers more in the spring, urbanization, pesticide use, and habitat loss have reduced their food options. Researchers found that adult bees collect grass pollen to feed themselves and their offspring, with similar numbers of bee larvae developing on centipedegrass pollen as on more traditional bee nursery sources.
The researchers suggest that delaying lawn mowing by 10 to 14 days can provide bees with an additional food source, as the grass has the chance to flower and become accessible during this time. This late-season pollen availability, which extends into September, is crucial for bees during periods when other floral meals are scarce.
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