The possible use of honeybee pollen loads in characterising vegetation

Investigations of the composition of pollen loads collected by the honeybee in five areas of Galicia (NW Spain) and five areas of Umbria (Central Italy) have demonstrated that specific combinations of pollen grains in the corbicula pollen are related to the geographical origin of the pollen loads. Spanish and Italian pollen loads are clearly differentiated by the presence or absence of characteristic pollen grains. Large quantities of Eucalyptus, Cytisus scoparius‐type, Genista, Lotus and Jasione are found in the Galician honeybee pollen whilst in the pollen from Umbria Onohrychis (Dipsacaceae), Trifolium pratense L., Cornus, Vlmus and Galega predominate. This information can be useful in understanding the ethology of the honeybee in biogeographically different areas.