Gathering Pollen in December
Hi! I was requested by my mentor to send the Journal this photo of one of my girls coming back with bright orange pollen on December 4, 2024. I have this hive near Wooldridge, MO. I’m a first-year beekeeper and wasn’t sure what kind of pollen it could be, but several bees were bringing it in today.
Thank you!
Lynnae Kellett
Wooldridge, Missouri
Eugene Responds
Welcome to beekeeping! It’s always nice to see bees bringing in pollen. I don’t know what’s blooming in central Missouri in December, though we’ve had pretty mild weather in much of the state until recently, so it’s possible they’re still finding late-blooming asters down there. It’s also not uncommon for bees to pick up birdseed, chicken feed or other such things on warm winter days, but that bright orange certainly suggests pollen.
Lynnae Replies
A Springfield beekeeper was thinking it could still be goldenrod that was hidden under snow (maybe?) as she found some of hers bringing it in. I couldn’t research anything blooming/having pollen this late in the year in central Missouri. This hive is out near a couple of wildflower fields, grains like milo, but that’s it! Mostly pastureland for horse farms out there. So I wonder if it isn’t like you said — old aster, etc. Especially after the freezes and snowfall. They are resourceful girls!! Cheers!
