Plant traits driving visits by the honeybee Apis mellifera across native and introduced ranges: A global analysis

The honeybee Apis mellifera L. (Apidae) is a eusocial species of significant ecological and economic importance, known for its ability to adapt to diverse climates. Native to Europe, Africa and Asia, it has now spread globally beyond its native range. While individual bees may exhibit flower constancy, colonies function as generalist pollinators, interacting with a broad spectrum of plant species. However, some plant species are more frequently visited than others, emphasizing the need to understand traits that increase A. mellifera visitation. Such insights would clarify its foraging preferences, interactions with plant species and broader ecological impacts across its native and introduced ranges. We analysed the plant species and floral traits associated with A. mellifera visits across both its native and introduced ranges, using data from 147 plant‐floral visitor networks (107 native, 40 introduced). We found that A. mellifera visited 404 plant species, showing a marked preference for families such as Asteraceae, Rosaceae and Fabaceae. Our results revealed that A. mellifera monopolized plant resources similarly in both native and introduced areas, though the proportion of visits varied according to plant traits, particularly in native areas, suggesting more specialization in resource use. Complementary, A. mellifera visits in the native areas were distributed in fewer plants, being more consistent than in the introduced areas, where more plants where visited. These findings shed light on A. mellifera 's role in shaping plant‐bee relationships in both its native and introduced environments, offering important insights into its ecological impact and potential competition with native pollinators.