We identified 41 species of native bees from a total of 1,083 specimens collected at cultivated highbush blueberry plantings throughout Rhode Island in 2014 and 2015. Andrena spp., Bombus spp., and Xylocopa virginica (L.) were collected most often. Bombus griseocollis (DeGeer), B. impatiens Cresson, B. bimaculatus Cresson, B. perplexus Cresson, and Andrena vicina Smith collected the largest mean numbers of blueberry pollen tetrads. The largest mean percent blueberry pollen loads were carried by the miner bees Andrena bradleyi Viereck (91%), A. carolina Viereck (90%), and Colletes validus Cresson (87%). The largest mean total pollen grain loads were carried by B. griseocollis (549,844), B. impatiens (389,558), X. virginica (233,500), and B. bimaculatus (193,132). Xylocopa virginica was the fourth and fifth most commonly collected bee species in 2014 and 2015, respectively. They exhibit nectar robbing and females carried relatively low blueberry pollen loads (mean 33%). Overall, we found 10 species of bees to be the primary pollinators of blueberries in Rhode Island.

The main objectives of this study were to look at bee visitation to some common forage plants that could be used in place of or in conjunction with turfgrasses and to compare establishment methods to increase pollinator forage in turfed landscapes. Bee foraging patterns were assessed on four flower species: white clover (Trifolium repens L.), medium and mammoth red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.), and common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris L. var lanceolata [Barton] Fern.) by conducting quadrat surveys on two floral plots in southern Rhode Island. Flower species were planted in randomized replicated plots to assess comparative foraging patterns of local bee species. Medium Trifolium pratense had the highest number and diversity of bee foragers in 2022. In 2023, T. pratense maintained high visitation, but the trend in diversity of visitors shifted, with T. repens and P. vulgaris having the highest bee species richness. Floral visitation generally followed shifting floral abundances, with some variation among bee species, potentially due to selective preferences. Overall, Trifolium spp. and P. vulgaris are valuable floral resources that support a wide range of bee species and can be included in pollinator plantings, incorporated into mowed turf areas/lawns, or used separately to enhance available bee forage. We also present results on the effectiveness of five different methods (flail mowing, flail mowing/slice seeding, rototilling, herbicide, and occultation via weed fabric) in establishing these four species as well as creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) in turf.