On April 1, Aaron wrote to the effect that honey bees may not be as
effective pollinators as native bees because they moisten pollen with nectar
in order to keep the pollen loads intact on the corbiculae.  It was
suggested that moistened pollen does not get transferred efficiently to a
stigma (pistil).
 
I believe that pollination, by bees in general, is effected by the pollen
clinging (by electrostatic charge) to the branched hairs which cover the
bees body.  This pollen will be transferred to a stigma if the bee brushes
against it while collecting either pollen or nectar.  The pollen carried on
the scopa (corbicula, for honey bee) of any bee is completely removed from
any part of the pollination process.
 
This is an interesting thread, since many flowering plant species over the
globe are endangered, for one or more reasons.  All the best to those who
provide pollination services.
 
Steve Mitchell
Steve and Gail Mitchell
Van Isle Apiaries
4820 Wilson Rd.
Duncan, BC  V9L 6L6
Phone/Fax(250)746-9916
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