Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) pollen nutrition and its contributions to pollinator health

Pollen is critical for both plant reproduction and pollinator nutrition. It transfers plant reproductive cells from anthers to stigmas, while simultaneously providing nutrients to pollinators. Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) is a common ornamental plant that blooms throughout the summer and provides a unique dual-pollen system. It produces two morphologically and chemically distinct types of pollen, “real pollen” for plant fertilization, and “feed pollen” for attracting pollinators. As one of the few plants blooming throughout the summer months when pollinators experience a resource dearth from the lack of flowering plants during this time, crape myrtle is an important pollinator resource to understand for pollinator nutritional ecology. In our study, we hand collected both real pollen and feed pollen and analyzed them for their nutritional properties. We report the proteins, lipids, and micronutrients real and feed pollen provide for pollinators. Metabolomic analyses also revealed distinct differences between real and feed pollen, with implications for plant evolutionary biology. The insights gained from this research will guide improved beekeeping management practices, inform the development of nutritionally balanced artificial pollen substitutes, and enhance our understanding of plant–pollinator interactions in rapidly changing environments.