An interesting resource, available for free online: https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/references/public/SC/Bee_Basics_North_American_Bee_ID.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3J3ETsPb28oi9627OuuvIqDbtrDguk_MWihrVdEMLcvr4hrV6A4GOlBSs

Bee Basics, a 48-page illustrated e-book put out by the USDA Forest Service and the Pollinator Partnership

Going through the observations of Apis melliferas (Western Honeybees) in this project, taking the first day of spring, 03/20/18, as my starting point, the top 20 plant genuses visited by honeybees are:

1. Lavandula (Lavender) 18 observations
2. Salvia (Sages) 18 observations
3. Echium (Viper's-buglosses) 15 observations
4. Eriogonum (Wild buckwheats) 15 observations
5. Trifolium (Clovers) 15 observations
6. Baccharis (Coyote brush and related species) 12 observations
7. Rosa (Roses) 12 observations
8. Rosmarinus (Rosemary) 11 observations
9. Rubus (Brambles) 11 observations
10. Cirsium (Thistles) 10 observations
11. Eschscholzia (California poppies and related species) 9 observations
12. Mentha (Mints) 9 observations
13. Asclepias (Milkweeds) 8 observations
14. Escallonia 7 observations
15. Symphyotrichum (American asters) 7 observations
16. Veronica (Speedwells) 7 observations
17. Callistemon (Bottlebrushes) 6 observations
18. Ceanothus (California lilacs) 6 observations
19. Centaurea (Star Thistles) 6 observations
20. Epilobium (Willowherbs) 6 observations

Flowers bloom at different times- the top 5 flowers in spring (March 20th-June 20th) were:

1. Echium (Viper's-buglosses) 14 observations
2. Trifolium (Clovers) 10 observations
3. Rubus (Brambles) 9 observations
4. Lavandula (Lavender) 8 observations
5. Salvia (Sages) 8 observations

The top 5 flowers in summer (June 21st-September 21st) were:

1. Eriogonum (Wild buckwheats) 11 observations
2. Asclepias (Milkweeds) 8 observations
3. Mentha (Mints) 8 observations
4. Cirsium (Thistles) 7 observations
5. Lavandula (Lavender) 7 observations

It's still very early in autumn, but so far the top autumn flowers are:

1. Baccharis (Coyote brush and related species) 7 observations
2. Callistemon (Bottle brushes) 5 observations
3. Epilobium (Willowherbs) 5 observations
4. Salvia (Sages) 4 observations

Disclaimer- this is obviously still a very small sample, and it is inevitably biased by what is blooming in areas where we happen to have iNaturalist observers with cameras. Nonetheless, it does provide an overview of nectar plants that are attractive to honeybees, and which ones peak in a specific season.

The project still continues!
Best,
Alexis

PS- If you are submitting observations to this project, please fill out the "Nectar plant" field if you know what plant your pollinator is feeding upon. I did not want to make the field mandatory, as sometimes there are really cool photos of pollinators where the observer does not know the name of the flower, and I'd rather err on the side of including those observations and trying to ID the plant after the fact. However, it is much appreciated if you put as specific of an ID as you can- whether it is down to the species or subspecies level, or just the general plant family. Thanks!