Bumblebee on Sunflower (IMAGE) University of Massachusetts Amherst Caption A new study from UMass Amherst and NC State shows that sunflowers are one of the plants that can be planted among rows of agricultural crops in flower strips -- rows of pollinator-friendly flowers -- to benefit common Eastern bumblebee (Bombus impatiens) colony reproduction with a lower gut pathogen load than some other flowers. Credit Ben Barnhart Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.