A scientific note on an invasive pollen provider, tallow (Triadica sebifera), as a resource for honeybees (Apis mellifera)

Apis mellifera Linnaeus (L., 1758) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) (henceforth honeybee) require abundant high-quality pollen for growth and development throughout the brood-rearing season. Triadica sebifera (L., 1753) Small (Malpighiales: Euphorbiaceae) (henceforth tallow), a tree native to eastern Asia, was introduced into the United States in the late 1700s for soap, fuel, and wax cultivation; and is now considered invasive in the United States (U.S.) due to its rapid growth and spread, which can lead to displacement of natural ecosystems (Bataineh et al. 2024 ). Tallow blooms in late spring, primarily in the southeastern U.S., and is regarded by beekeepers as a producer of quality honey, which promotes colony build-up and provides a source of income for beekeepers (Gaffke et al. 2025 ).