Honeysuckle (genus Lonicera) attracts bees, but the interaction depends heavily on the specific plant and bee species. The genus includes both vining and shrub honeysuckles, known for their fragrant, nectar-rich blooms that serve as a valuable food source for pollinators. However, the flower’s tubular shape presents a challenge. This structure makes nectar readily available to some bee species while requiring specialized access for others.
Understanding Flower Structure and Bee Access
The primary feature influencing bee visitation is the honeysuckle flower’s elongated, trumpet-like shape, known as the corolla tube. This deep structure holds the nectar at its base, making it easily accessible only to insects with long mouthparts, such as certain species of bumblebees (Bombus spp.) and specialized solitary bees. Shorter-tongued bees, including many honeybees and smaller native species, often cannot reach the sweet reward through the legitimate opening.
The nectar is a strong attractant, providing energy for foraging bees. Since the pollen is positioned to require a long-tongued visitor to brush against the anthers, short-tongued bees often fail to pick up or deposit pollen. This structural limitation leads to “nectar robbing,” where bees bypass the pollen-transfer mechanism entirely. They chew a hole near the base of the corolla tube to access the nectar directly, stealing the reward without providing pollination services.
Differentiating Honeysuckle Varieties for Pollinator Support
The choice of honeysuckle variety is the most important factor in supporting native bee populations. Native species, such as Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) and Orange Honeysuckle (Lonicera ciliosa), are ecologically adapted to local pollinators. Coral Honeysuckle produces clusters of non-fragrant, red or coral-colored tubular flowers that bloom for a long season. While primarily associated with hummingbirds, this plant is valuable for bumblebees, which are robust enough or long-tongued enough to navigate the flower structure.
Non-native and invasive species, such as Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), can be detrimental to the ecosystem despite attracting bees. This aggressive vine outcompetes native plants that are essential host resources for local insects. Although its fragrant, creamy-white flowers are nectar-rich and visited by many bees, its invasive nature reduces biodiversity and the availability of other native forage plants. Gardeners should prioritize non-invasive native varieties like the cultivar ‘Major Wheeler,’ a prolific bloomer proven to attract a high volume of local pollinators.
Honeysuckle’s Broader Role in Attracting Other Wildlife
Beyond bees, honeysuckle supports other wildlife. The non-fragrant, red-tubular varieties like Coral Honeysuckle are shaped to attract hummingbirds, which use their long bills to access the deep nectar reserves. These birds are the primary pollinators for the red-flowered species, as they are drawn to the color and do not rely on scent.
The plant’s value extends into the evening hours, providing nectar for nighttime pollinators. Fragrant varieties, such as those with white or yellow blooms, release their scent at dusk to attract sphinx moths (hawk moths). These moths have extremely long proboscises that can reach the nectar deep inside the flower’s tube. The foliage of native honeysuckles serves as a host plant for the larvae of butterflies, such as the Spring Azure, and the Snowberry Clearwing moth. The berries that follow the flowers provide food for songbirds, including finches and thrushes, making the plant a resource throughout multiple seasons.