Observations on the role of the honey bee and bumble bee as pollinators of white clover (Trifolium repensLinn.) in the Timaru district and Mackenzie country

Abstract

Abstract Observations on the role of the honey bee and the bumble bee in the pollination of white clover (Trifolium repens Linn.) were made in the Timaru District and Mackenzie Country of New Zealand over 2 seasons. Bumble bees were of no importance in the Timaru area, although they played an important part in the Mackenzie Country, where honey bee densities were frequently low, Other insects were apparently of no importance. No pollination occurred in cages which excluded bees. Abnorrnally high honey bee densities achieved in cages resulted in little or no increase in the degree of pollination over that occurring under field conditions, in the Timaru district. In this area, therefore, present bee density must be considered adequate for seed crop production.