Apple grower pollination practices and perceptions of alternative pollinators in New York and Pennsylvania

Abstract

Pollinator declines coupled with increasing demand for insect pollinated crops have the potential to cause future pollinator shortages for our most nutritious and valuable crops. Ensuring adequate crop pollination may necessitate a shift in pollination management, from one that primarily relies on the managed European honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) to one that integrates alternative pollinators. While a growing body of scientific evidence supports significant contributions made by naturally occurring, native bees for crop pollination, translating research to practice requires buy-in from growers. The intention of agricultural extension is to address grower needs and concerns; however, few studies have assessed grower knowledge, perceptions and attitudes about native pollinators. Here we present findings from questionnaire-based surveys of over 600 apple growers in New York State and Pennsylvania, coupled with ecological data from bee surveys. This hybrid sociological and biological survey allows us to compare grower knowledge and perceptions to an actual pollinator census. While up to 93% of respondents highly valued importance of native bees, 20% growers did not know how much native bees actually contribute to their orchard pollination. Despite the uncertainty, a majority of growers were open to relying on native bees (up to 60% in NY and 67% in PA) and to making low-cost changes to their farm's management that would benefit native pollinators (up to 68 in NY and 85% in PA). Growers consistently underestimated bee diversity, but their estimates corresponded to major bee groups identifiable by lay persons, indicating accurate local knowledge about native bees. Grower reliance on honeybees increased with farm size; because native bee abundance did not measurably decrease with farm size, renting honeybees may be motivated by risk avoidance rather than grower perception of lower native bee activity. Demonstrated effectiveness of native pollinators and clear guidelines for their management were the most important factors influencing grower decision to actively manage orchards for native bees. Our results highlight a pressing need for an active and research-based extension program to support diversification of pollination strategies in the region.

Mitigating the Effects of Habitat Loss on Solitary Bees in Agricultural Ecosystems

“…Native solitary bees can be more efficient pollinators of certain wild plants and crops than honey bees, and have the potential to enhance crop yields with their pollination services [16]. Many growers rely on solitary and wild bees for pollination in their fruit farms [17,18]. Sweet cherry orchards, for example, had higher yields when pollinated by the blue orchard bee (Osmia lignaria) than when pollinated by A. mellifera [19].…”

A Growers’ Perspective on Crop Pollination and Measures to Manage the Pollination Service of Wild Pollinators in Sweet Cherry Cultivation

“…When this was discussed with growers, they often mentioned that they did not know much about these species. Similarly, Park et al [16] also found that apple growers lacked detailed knowledge about wild pollinators. Training growers and staff members about the importance of solitary bees and other wild pollinators and what measures to take to increase their nesting opportunities, could therefore improve crop pollination.…”

Bee Vectoring: Development of the Japanese Orchard Bee as a Targeted Delivery System of Biological Control Agents for Fire Blight Management

“…Apple growers heavily rely on bees and other flower-visiting arthropods for pollination [27,28]. The characteristics that make bees excellent pollinators also make them appropriate carriers of organically approved disease biocontrol formulations, which they can deposit directly on the stigma while foraging on open flowers.…”

“…In the recent past, such declines have greatly increased the cost of honey bee rentals to fruit growers. Alternative pollinators such as O. cornifrons and the native Blue Orchard bee, O. lignaria, are increasingly being used as replacements or supplements to honey bees in many crops [27].…”