In 2022, we assessed bee abundance and diversity on four flower species: white clover (Trifolium repens), red clover (Trifolium pratense, cultivars: ‘medium’ and ‘mammoth’), crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum), and common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) based on their observed attractiveness to various bumble bee species, including several species currently found in Rhode Island. Our results indicate that ‘medium’ red clover and crimson clover are particularly attractive to several bee species in Rhode Island and that visitation differed between honey bees and bumble bees. This information can be used to provide improved recommendations to federal and state conservation programs, private landowners, and homeowners to better support bumble bee species found in Rhode Island and beyond. This research will be continued by assessing the impact of simulated drought conditions on the nectar and pollen of these four floral species to determine how drought conditions may impact bee visitation and nutrition availability. We also plan to evaluate the best methods of establishing these four flowering species with the purpose of providing planting recommendations to landowners and conservation planners.
