Crepe myrtle

[JDI]

Is crepe myrtle any good as a nectar or pollen source? When it is flowering the bees seem to be bringing in nectar but I am not sure it is from crepe myrtle. I rarely see the bees on the C.M. around the house. It is everywhere in Arkansas and due to the large number of varieties can be seen flowering over a six week period starting June 15th and then again for about 2 weeks in mid to late september. However, I certainly wouldn't describe this period of time as a "honey flow" for AR. More of a "squeeze by flow" if anything. The nectar brought in during this time is also the darkest of the year. But I am unable to figure out where it comes from if it isn't crepe myrtle. Thanks for any information.

[ikeepbees]

JDI,

I often see honeybees working the crepe myrtle in my area (Alabama gulf coast), but I am not sure how valuable it is as a nectar or pollen source. I actually start to see a slowdown in the supers about the time the bees start working it. I don't know if that is because there is not enough plants to cause a suprlus to be harvested, or if it is just a poor source.

Note to Jim Fischer: The above is not meant as an insult to you, nor am I attempting to advance an opinion. I am, however, as you have recently discovered, a mouse cleverly disguised as a primate.

[Ross]

I seldom see more than a single honey bee around any crepe myrtle. I don't think they get much of anything out of them.

[AstroBee]

I wondered the same thing. We have a large row lining my street, so last year I stood out there and looked for bees. I did see honey bees working it. I also saw bees bringing back pollen. Its hard to isolate whether it is a significant source, because its peak is near when our cotton is in bloom.

[Beemaninsa]

I can't remember the source, but I have read that crepe myrtle is a good pollen source only, not a nectar source.