Non-Apis bee pollinators: A way out to the future pollinators’ challenge

Abstract

Insects contribute majority of pollination activities in the world and among them bees representing as the most economically valuable pollinators. Due of its eusocial behaviour, honey bees are believed to be the most promising insect group for pollinating crop plants. However, a variety of anthropogenic activities that have resulted in habitat loss or alteration, misuse of pesticides, development of parasites and diseases, and introduction of alien species have caused a rapid fall in honey bee numbers, raising concerns about the pollination services provided throughout the world. In addition, a lot of plants have developed sophisticated pollinator-favouring mechanisms, such as poricidal anthers, restricted nectar production and primary specialised pollen release systems, which make honey bees unfavourable in these plants' pollination processes. Therefore, diversifying crop pollinators might assist in achieving pollination services when the usual pollinator (honeybees for the majority of crops today) is not present in adequate numbers. In this situation, native non-Apis bees will provide a solution to the impending pollinators' dilemma in the scenario of global pollination. Non-Apis bees have several advantages over honey bees, and they can flourish with basic management techniques unlike honey bees. But little is known about these wild bee pollinators, limiting their use in pollination activities. Thus, the present article lightens up about this major group of non-Apis bee pollinators focusing their diversity, nesting biology, pollination role as well as management practices.