White clover is renowned as the best clover for honeybees, but it only yields nectar under ideal conditions. Have you ever noticed a field or lawn blanketed in white clover yet observed only a few bumblebees and no honeybees visiting the flowers? That’s because honeybees require the right temperature to access the nectar.
Why the Honeybees’ Short Tongue Matter
Compared to many bumblebees and other bees, Honeybees have a relatively short, straw-like tongue. Because of this short tongue, honeybees prefer to visit open flowers, and flowers where the nectar is not deep inside a long tube such as red clover or foxgloves. This makes white clover, or Trifolium repens, a perfect plant for honeybees as the tubes are short, and in good summers, bees can make a lot of honey from white clover. However, the shorter tube in the white clover isn’t enough to guarantee nectar for bees.
Temperatures must be sufficiently high (over 20 degrees Celsius) for nectar to rise within the corolla tubes of the white clover, making it accessible to honeybees (Apis mellifera mellifera) with their short proboscis, or tongue! Bumblebees and other species, with longer tongues, can access nectar from deeper flowers like red or crimson clover, which is why they are often seen on these blooms rather than honeybees.
Factors that Influence Clover Nectar-Flow
Nectar flow is influenced by several factors. Time of day is important because of the reliance of the temperature. Wind and humidity levels are also important; high winds and low humidity can reduce nectar production, whereas too much rain will impact on the bees’ ability to leave the hive to forage. Temperature is a critical factor, as white clover needs warm conditions to push nectar up the corolla tubes. Soil moisture content must be adequate for nectar secretion, and the position of the flower can impact nectar yield. Topography, the landscape of the area, also affects how much nectar is produced, as well as if there are other plants impacting on accessibility or competition. The age of the plant matters too, with younger plants often yielding more nectar. Shading can result in lower nectar production, and the nature of the soil, including its type and health, plays a significant role.
In order for the bees to be able to forage on white clover, and get a good crop, these conditions need to be right. With the cold weather we have experienced this summer, there have only been a couple of days in the last few weeks that I have seen honeybees on white clover. So please, if your lawn is full of white clover and temperatures are forecasted to exceed 20°C, resist the urge to mow. Allow the flowers to flourish and support our vital bee populations. Let’s create a bustling haven for our short-tongued pollinators in our gardens!
Hanna Bäckmo
Hanna Bäckmo is an award-winning beekeeper, entrepreneur, hobby gardener and internationally published writer. Originally from a small island in Sweden, she now lives in East Cork with her son, two dogs, a flock of rescue chickens and lots of bees. Hanna is the founder of Hanna’s Bees, producing a unique range of natural and sustainable honey, propolis, and beeswax products sold in Ireland’s leading Gift & Artisan food stores and select US outlets. With 70 colonies of Native Irish honeybees, she is a passionate bee-advocate and educator and is an Ambassador for the Native Irish Honeybee.
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The Death’s Head Hawk Moth is a large, striking moth. It is a rare sight in Ireland and the UK, with only a handfull reported each year. However, the moth is known for its strong connection with honeybees. In this blog post, I will explore the fascinating world of Death’s Head Hawk Moths, and their unique relationship with honeybees. I will also shine a light on their place in history, mythology and culture.
Why White Clover is the Best Clover for Honeybees
White clover is renowned as the best clover for honeybees, but it only yields nectar under ideal conditions. Have you ever noticed a field or lawn blanketed in white clover yet observed only a few bumblebees and no honeybees visiting the flowers? That’s because honeybees require the right temperature to access the nectar.
Why the Honeybees’ Short Tongue Matter
Compared to many bumblebees and other bees, Honeybees have a relatively short, straw-like tongue. Because of this short tongue, honeybees prefer to visit open flowers, and flowers where the nectar is not deep inside a long tube such as red clover or foxgloves. This makes white clover, or Trifolium repens, a perfect plant for honeybees as the tubes are short, and in good summers, bees can make a lot of honey from white clover. However, the shorter tube in the white clover isn’t enough to guarantee nectar for bees.
Temperatures must be sufficiently high (over 20 degrees Celsius) for nectar to rise within the corolla tubes of the white clover, making it accessible to honeybees (Apis mellifera mellifera) with their short proboscis, or tongue! Bumblebees and other species, with longer tongues, can access nectar from deeper flowers like red or crimson clover, which is why they are often seen on these blooms rather than honeybees.
Factors that Influence Clover Nectar-Flow
Nectar flow is influenced by several factors. Time of day is important because of the reliance of the temperature. Wind and humidity levels are also important; high winds and low humidity can reduce nectar production, whereas too much rain will impact on the bees’ ability to leave the hive to forage. Temperature is a critical factor, as white clover needs warm conditions to push nectar up the corolla tubes. Soil moisture content must be adequate for nectar secretion, and the position of the flower can impact nectar yield. Topography, the landscape of the area, also affects how much nectar is produced, as well as if there are other plants impacting on accessibility or competition. The age of the plant matters too, with younger plants often yielding more nectar. Shading can result in lower nectar production, and the nature of the soil, including its type and health, plays a significant role.
In order for the bees to be able to forage on white clover, and get a good crop, these conditions need to be right. With the cold weather we have experienced this summer, there have only been a couple of days in the last few weeks that I have seen honeybees on white clover. So please, if your lawn is full of white clover and temperatures are forecasted to exceed 20°C, resist the urge to mow. Allow the flowers to flourish and support our vital bee populations. Let’s create a bustling haven for our short-tongued pollinators in our gardens!
Hanna Bäckmo
Curious about the world of bees and honey? Join our newsletter to learn something new each week.
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Uninvited Guest: The Death’s Head Hawk Moth
The Death’s Head Hawk Moth is a large, striking moth. It is a rare sight in Ireland and the UK, with only a handfull reported each year. However, the moth is known for its strong connection with honeybees. In this blog post, I will explore the fascinating world of Death’s Head Hawk Moths, and their unique relationship with honeybees. I will also shine a light on their place in history, mythology and culture.