Yes, bees actively forage on dandelions, making the plant an important early-season resource for many species of pollinators. As one of the first flowers to bloom widely in the spring, the dandelion provides a readily available source of food when other diverse floral options are scarce. This common plant helps bridge the seasonal gap, offering essential nutrients that newly active bees require to survive and begin their reproductive cycles. Its wide distribution and early bloom make it a significant source of forage for generalist pollinators.
Dandelions as a Dual Food Source
The dandelion flower is particularly valuable to bees because it offers a dual food source: nectar and pollen. Nectar is a sugary fluid that provides the carbohydrates necessary for an adult bee’s immediate energy needs, fueling flight and daily activity. Pollen, rich in protein, is the main component used to feed developing larvae and support colony growth. The structure of the dandelion’s flower head, which is technically a composite of many tiny florets, allows easy access for a wide range of bee species. Bees collect the bright yellow pollen and draw nectar from the base of the florets for transport back to the nest or hive.
The Nutritional Profile of Dandelion Pollen and Nectar
The nutritional quality of dandelion pollen presents a complex picture. Pollen is a bee’s primary source of protein, lipids, and vitamins. Dandelion pollen typically has a decent protein content (around 14% by dry weight), but this is significantly lower than the 40% found in pollen from certain native trees and shrubs. Dandelion pollen is deficient in several amino acids essential for the healthy development of honey bee larvae, specifically arginine, isoleucine, leucine, and valine. While relying solely on this incomplete profile may stunt brood development, the plant’s high sugar nectar provides a reliable and substantial source of energy for adult bees during early spring.
Dandelions and Native Bee Species
The presence of dandelions is especially beneficial for native bee populations, including solitary bees and queen bumblebees emerging from hibernation. These early-season pioneers require immediate and accessible food to build up their strength and begin nesting. Dandelions often bloom before many native wildflowers, making them one of the first reliable sources of food available in urban and suburban landscapes. Many native bees are generalist foragers, readily using whatever is available. For newly emerged queen bumblebees, the nectar provides the necessary energy to search for a nest site and begin laying eggs, while solitary species rely on this early bloom to provision the cells where their young will develop.
Lawn Management to Support Pollinators
Homeowners can play an active role in supporting pollinators by adjusting their lawn care practices during the early spring.
Key Lawn Management Practices
- Participate in initiatives like “No Mow May,” which encourages delaying the first mowing of the season until later in the month. This allows dandelions and other low-growing flowers to complete their bloom cycle, providing maximum forage when it is most needed.
- Reducing or eliminating the use of broadleaf herbicides is another direct way to protect dandelions as a food source. These chemicals specifically target flowering plants in the lawn, inadvertently removing a crucial food supply.
- If weed control is necessary, non-chemical methods like hand-pulling, or spot-treating with safer alternatives, should be prioritized.
- Setting the lawnmower blade higher—at three inches or more—also helps by allowing dandelions to bloom beneath the cutting height, ensuring the flowers are available to foraging insects before they are removed.