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Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology

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From:
"Hanlin, Steve" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Mon, 7 Nov 2011 17:57:23 +0000
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>>What about alternative pollinators like mason bees?

>>Is anyone researching this?

In Ames we have used mason bees in greenhouse cage pollination in the spring (May through March) and an unheated greenhouse in limited amounts.  They work okay in this situation.  However they do not work if the greenhouse is heated or it is summer because these bees are what are known as "cool weather pollinators" meaning once the temperature reaches around 85 F the bees go into diapauses (hibernation) and no longer work the plants.  Also the plants and insects need to be caged to force the bees to pollinate and even then many will be at the top of the cage and only a few will actually be doing the pollination.


Steve J. Hanlin
NCRPIS/ISU
Ames, IA  50011-1170



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