Climate change is increasing the frequency, duration, and severity of droughts globally. This is especially evident in the western US, which supports millions of honey bee colonies for crop pollination and honey production each year. Drought impacts plant health and the abundance of floral rewards (pollen and nectar). Recent studies suggest that it may also affect the composition of these rewards. Here, we used the honey bee-sunflower system to study whether and how drought affects pollen nutrients that are important for honey bee health. We grew sunflowers in field conditions under three different (high, medium, and low) watering conditions that reflected realistic soil moisture conditions. We then collected the pollen from these sunflowers and analyzed it for total protein and lipid, and fatty acids. The nutrient density of sunflower pollen differed for plants grown in different watering conditions. This suggests that honey bee nutrition, and bee health, might be impacted by water availability. We discuss these results in the context of planned future work and maintaining pollinator health in a changing climate.
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