Abstract
In a study of the diversity and abundance of bees visiting sunflower seed-production plots (6 male-sterile, 1 male-fertile cultivars), >20 species of bees were found to frequent the plots. Significant differences were noted among cultivars in relative attractiveness to bees. For native, nonsocial bees, the pollen parent was significantly more attractive than the male-sterile lines. Only 2 of the 6 male-sterile lines were significantly more attractive to social species (honey bees and bumble bees). The effectiveness of native bees as sunflower pollinators is discussed.

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