Bee Liners;
 
As a beekeeper, I am somewhat reluctant to ask this question, but
as an extension agent advising growers of insect pollinated crops
I feel like I need to.  As much as I like to think that every
farmer who grows crops requiring pollination rents the requisite
numbers of hives per acre, I know it ain't so.  I was addressing
a watermelon production meeting last week and two of the farmers
asked me why their bees had died.  Varroa is probably going to be
a watershed event for these casual beekeepers and I can't see
recommending they get back into the Apis mellifera business.  Which
begs the question, what can these growers do to encourage wild
pollinators?  Does anyone have sets of specifications for nest
structures to attract solitary bees?  I guess I am looking for a
FAQ on wild pollinators for the east coast.  I know the
generalities on habitat and pesticide use, but I am looking for
specific information on nesting structures to work up into a simple
fact sheet for farmers.
 
Along this line I have a very interesting paper from the 50's by
R. L. Rabb at N. C. State University where Polistes were trapped
and moved and encouraged to nest around tobacco fields to act as
predators on lepidopterous pests.  I have built Polistes nest boxes
(basically bird houses with no front and bottom) and had good rates
of success.
 
Bill Lord
 
--
WILLIAM G LORD
E-Mail  : wglord@franklin
Internet: [log in to unmask]
Phone   : 9194963344