Managing Alternative Pollinators A Handbook for Beekeepers, Growers and Conservationists This handbook is a first-of-its-kind, step-by-step, full-color guide for rearing and managing bumble bees, mason bees, leafcutter bees, and other alternatives to honey bee pollinators. For Beekeepers: Detailed information on each alternative pollinator's biology and susceptibility to disease, pests and chemicals, as well as step-by-step instructions on how to rear and manage alternative pollinators. For Growers: Guidance for understanding the business of pollination, matching pollinators to crops, and deciding how best to pollinate for successful agricultural production and pollinator protection. For Conservationists: Easy-to-understand accounts of the honey bee's plight, the business of pollination, and what can be done to protect pollinators and our food systems. The book features 130+ color photos, 10 chapters, 7 appendices, nest construction details, parasite and disease management guidelines and a sample contract. Includes a bibliography and list of additional resources. For ordering and price information: http://www.nraes.org/nra_map.html NRAES will start shipping books March 22. Table of contents | Authors | Expected outcomes | Detailed Outline | Sample pages | About SARE | Table of Contents Foreword Chapter 1. The Business of Pollination Chapter 2. The Status of the European Honey Bee in the U.S. Chapter 3. A Brief Natural History of Bees Chapter 4. Pollination Botany Chapter 5. Bumble Bees Chapter 6. Mason Bees Chapter 7. The Alfalfa Leafcutter Bee Chapter 8. Other Managed Pollinators Chapter 9. The Search for New Managed Pollinators Chapter 10. Habitat Conservation for Native Pollinators Appendix A. Managing Parasites and Disease in Solitary Bee Operations Appendix B. X-Ray Procedures for Cavity Nesting Bees Appendix C. Plants for Bee Ranching Appendix D. Reducing Bee Poisoning from Pesticides Appendix E. Hybrid Nest Blocks for Cavity Nesting Bees Appendix F. Nest Material Comparison for Leafcutter and Mason Bees Appendix G. IPM for Beekeepers Appendix H. Additional Resources Bibliography Authors Eric Mader, Pollinator Outreach Coordinator, The Xerces Society Pollinator Conservation Program Marla Spivak, Professor of Entomology, University of Minnesota Elaine Evans, Author, Befriending Bumble Bees With a forward by Mace Vaughan, Conservation Director, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation Expected Outcomes Knowledge of how to rear alternative pollinators, including leafcutter bees, mason bees and bumble bees for pollination Appreciation of the importance of rearing only local pollinators to avoid movement of species outside their native ranges Understand the critical use of sanitary practices to discourage the development and spread of diseases and parasites. Ability to directly improve the quality of our food supply and aesthetics of our landscapes through pollination of fruits, nuts, vegetables and flowers Positively impact biodiversity and ecological services in our environment Understand the broad ecological issues affecting both managed and wild pollinators, and how to implement conservation practices to support them. *********************************************** The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html Access BEE-L directly at: http://community.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-LSOFTDONATIONS.exe?A0=BEE-L