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Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the role of centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides) as a pollen resource for bees and to explore bee foraging behaviors in centipedegrass lawns. When the pollen load composition of bees foraging on centipedegrass spikelets was examined, bees, including Bombus spp., Apis spp., and Lasioglossum spp., predominantly collected Poaceae pollen, with significantly greater counts during early flowering in 2021. In 2022, there were no significant differences between early and late flowering phases. The pollen transfer to hives was examined, and data showed that bees transferred the collected Poaceae pollen to hives. When the centipedegrass pollen utilization was examined, the development of bumblebee larvae on centipedegrass pollen was similar to those developed on butterfly bush pollen, suggesting that centipedegrass pollen can support larval development. The foraging behaviors of bees were characterized by evaluating the video recordings, and data showed that Bombus spp. exhibited more crawling and tongue protrusion behaviors, whereas Lasioglossum spp. dangled on centipedegrass anther for pollen collection. Despite the availability of pollen from dicot plants with showy flowers, bees continued to forage on centipedegrass pollen. These findings underscore the ecological importance of centipedegrass in supporting pollinator populations and provide insights for turfgrass management and pollinator conservation efforts in urban, suburban, and rural landscapes.