Acceptance of artificial nesting sites by pollinating mason bees in commercial fruit plantations (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae: mixed Osmia cornuta and O. rufa population)

P Benedek,M Soltész,C Konrádné,J Nyéki,T Szabó

doi:10.31421/ijhs/16/3/894

Abstract

During a four yeas long experiment a simple bee shelterswas found to be a propermethod to increase the size ofmixed natural populations of the early season Osmia cornuta and O. rufa under practical farm conditions. Instead of the number of pesticide applications the earliness of the flowering of the fruit species in the orchards was found to be themost important factor in the rate of acceptance of reed as nestingmediumby Osmias in the bee shelter. This relationship was negative and highly significant (r = –0.829, p<0.001). This means that much higher acceptance of artificial nestingmedia in bee shelters and consequentlymuch higher population increase of the two early seasonmason bee species can be expected in orchards with early than with late flowering fruit species. Mixed orchards or early flowering orchards surrounded by other orchards falling in bloom later consecutively may also be much favourable to mason bees because they can find continuous food (pollen) supply there for a much longer time during their period of activity than in orchards planted with a single fruit species and being apart from orchards of other fruit species.

Highlights

The native early spring mason bee species (Osmia cornuta and O. rufa) have been known as effective pollinating agent of fruit trees in Europe (Bosch 1994a, Bosch & Kemp 2002, Krunic et al 1995, Maccagnani et al 2003, Pinzauti 1991, Vincens & Bosch 2000a)
In site propagation of native populations has be found to be a proper method to increase pollinating wild bee density around fruit tree plantations (Benedek 2008). Exploiting this finding, we used simple bee shelters to increase natural pollinating wild bee population in some commercial fruit tree plantations and found that the bee shelters were accepted in different rates at different localities in orchards planted with different fruit tree species
During a four years long experiment the simple bee shelter recommended to use in commercial orchards (Benedek 2008) was found to be a proper method to increase the size of mixed natural populations of the early season Osmia cornuta and O. rufa under practical farm conditions

Summary

Introduction

The native early spring mason bee species (Osmia cornuta and O. rufa) have been known as effective pollinating agent of fruit trees in Europe (Bosch 1994a, Bosch & Kemp 2002, Krunic et al 1995, Maccagnani et al 2003, Pinzauti 1991, Vincens & Bosch 2000a). In site propagation of native populations has be found to be a proper (and much cheaper) method to increase pollinating wild bee density around fruit tree plantations (Benedek 2008) Exploiting this finding, we used simple bee shelters to increase natural pollinating wild bee population in some commercial fruit tree plantations and found that the bee shelters were accepted in different rates at different localities in orchards planted with different fruit tree species. These experiences may be important and useful to fruit growers

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion