Biology:June gap
The June gap occurs in Ireland and Great Britain when there is a shortage of forage available for honey bees, typically occurring in June.
Subsequent to the massive volume of pollen and nectar produced by trees and hedges in the spring, there is a reduction in the amount of nectar available to the bees due to long grasses suppressing many wildflowers.[1] Before the herbaceous "summer rush" of July-through-September which reinstates the high level of nectar, the high hive populations brought around by trees in the spring struggle to produce honey and may lay fewer eggs. It is a time when beekeepers need to pay special attention to the levels of honey in the hive, as well as the level of water the bees use during this gap.[2] Annual weather patterns can cause this event to occur later or earlier.
Some plants which can provide nectar in this gap are Cotoneaster, the closely related Pyracantha, common garden [herbs], and perennial garden plants.[3]
See also
- Beekeeping in Ireland
- Beekeeping in the United Kingdom
- Forage (honeybee)
- Honeydew source
- List of honey plants
- Pollen source
References
- ↑ "The "June gap" - a tough time for bees". Rosybee. 17 June 2011. http://www.rosybee.com/blog/2011/06/the-june-gap-a-tough-time-for-bees.
- ↑ "Bees now into the "June Gap"". Impartial Reporter. 25 June 2009. http://www.impartialreporter.com/news/13850635.Bees_now_into_the___034_June_Gap__034_/.
- ↑ "Has the June gap come early?". Mrs Apis Mellifera. 7 June 2014. https://missapismellifera.com/2014/06/07/has-the-june-gap-come-early/.
 |  |
