University of Sussex
Browse

File(s) not publicly available

Commercial bumble bees on soft fruit farms collect pollen mainly from wildflowers rather than the target crops

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 18:55 authored by E S J Foulis, Dave GoulsonDave Goulson
Commercially-reared nests of bumble bees are widely used for pollination of glasshouse crops such as tomatoes, and in recent years they have begun to be increasingly used outdoors for soft fruit crops which are either uncovered or in open-Sided polytunnels. In the UK, approximately 15,000 Bombus terrestris nests per year are imported for use in this way. Here we examine pollen loads on commercial bumble bees returning to their nests, stationed next to soft fruit crops at three farms in Scotland, UK, to determine whether pollen-Collecting bees are visiting the target crop. Only 12% of pollen was of Rubus type (most likely raspberry) and 15% was of Potentilla type (probably strawberry). The remaining 73% of pollen was from a range of non-target wildflowers, in declining importance: Brassicaceae (22%), Filipendula type (18%), Violaceae (11%), Trifolium type (6%) and Apiaceae (6%). It is unclear how this relates to the pollination service provided, since the bees may make nectar-Collecting visits to the fruit crops. Nonetheless a substantial proportion of foraging by commercial bees is clearly not on the target crops. Means for improving the efficiency of fruit pollination, and possible ecological implications of use of wild flowers by commercial bumble bees are discussed. ©IBRA 2014.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Journal of Apicultural Research

ISSN

0021-8839

Publisher

International Bee Research Association

Issue

3

Volume

53

Page range

404-407

Department affiliated with

  • Evolution, Behaviour and Environment Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2014-11-20

Usage metrics

    University of Sussex (Publications)

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC