Abstract
Large carpenter bees (genusXylocopa) are wood-nesting generalist pollinators of broad geographical distribution that exhibit varying levels of sociality. Their foraging is characterized by a wide range of food plants, long season of activity, tolerance of high temperatures, and activity under low illumination levels. These traits make them attractive candidates for agricultural pollination in hot climates, particularly in greenhouses, and of night-blooming crops. Carpenter bees have demonstrated efficient pollination service in passionflower, blueberries, greenhouse tomatoes and greenhouse melons. Current challenges to the commercialization of these attempts lie in the difficulties of mass-rearingXylocopa, and in the high levels of nectar robbing exhibited by the bees.
Highlights
Insect pollination of agricultural crops is a critical ecosystem service
The value of insect pollination for worldwide agricultural production is estimated at C153 billion, which represents 9.5% of the value of the world agricultural production used for human food in 2005 [2]
Examples of management of non-Apis species for agricultural pollination include the use of bumble bees, primarily for the pollination of greenhouse tomatoes, the solitary bees Nomia and Osmia for the pollination of orchard crops, Megachile for alfalfa pollination, and social stingless bees to pollinate coffee and other crops [9,10,11,12]
Summary
Insect pollination of agricultural crops is a critical ecosystem service. Fruit, vegetable or seed production from 87 of the 115 leading global food crops depends upon animal pollination [1]. The area cultivated with pollinator-dependent crops has increased disproportionately over the last decades, suggesting that the need for pollination services will greatly increase in the near future [3]. This contributes to the concern to beekeepers, growers of insect-pollinated crops, and policy-makers over recent widespread declines in honey bee populations (Colony Collapse Disorder) [4,5,6]. This paper focuses on the large cosmopolitan genus Xylocopa as an additional provider of agricultural pollination services Aspects of these bees’ life-history, social organization, and foraging ecology are discussed in the context of their potential role as crop pollination agents
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
