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Date: | Thu, 17 Jan 2013 16:20:34 -0500 |
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Those insects drilling holes in blueberry blooms are most probably
carpenter bees, not bumble bees. Bumble bees "buzz pollinate," which
makes them more important for blueberry pollination than other species.
http://www.caes.uga.edu/publications/pubDetail.cfm?pk_id=6214#Other%20Pollinating%20Bees
The value of carpenter bees in crop pollination is doubtful. They are
effective pollinators of passionfruit. In Georgia, they visit
blackberry, canola, corn, pepper and pole bean, but their value on these
crops is uncertain. Carpenter bees are notorious for "robbing" flowers
by cutting slits in the side of the flower to reach nectar without even
touching the pollinating parts.
With blueberry, robbing by carpenter bees can be a serious problem
because the robbery holes attract other bee species that would otherwise
legitimately visit the flower. When possible, blueberry growers should
control carpenter bee populations. For infested wood in structures,
inject an approved insecticide in individual tunnels, plug the holes and
paint the wood surface. See your county Extension agent for help in
selecting a suitable insecticide.
Malcolm T. Sanford
http://apisenterprises.com/
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