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. 
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