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Pollinators are very important to maintaining our food and seed supply. Some crops (and therefore industries) are more reliant on bee pollinators than others. Plants that have are essentially reliant include: Squashes, Melons, Zuchini, Pumpkins, Vanilla. Plants that are greatly reliant: Apples, Almonds, Blueberries, Cherries, Cucumbers, Raspberries, Alfalfa seed, Onions. Plants that are somewhat reliant: Peaches, Citrus, many others. Plants that are less reliant: Most grains, beans, etc.
There are over 20,000 bee species in the world, yet for pollination purposes, we use only one (1) species 98% of the time (Apis mellifera—the "honeybee"). Are we so shallow? Let's tap into the abilities of the other 19,999…
The idea of "Specialist Pollinators" on particular crops can be critically advantageous. The native bee with the most value presently is the "Mason Bee" or "Blue Orchard Bee," because it is sought after commercially and can be managed…So let's talk about Mason bees.
FOOD-WATER-SHELTER
FOOD: Pollen, nectar There are obviously crops that simultaneously serve man and bee, but here are some that provide solely food resources for bees:
Trees: Redbud, Maples, Pussy Willow, fruit trees, etc. Shrubs/Bushes: Russian Sage, Oregon Grape Perennial: Penstemon, Borage, sunflowers Annual: Phacelia, Bachelor's Button, sunflowers
…Dandelions are an incredible, abundant food resource for bees
The presence of bee forage plants will automatically attract all kinds of pleasant bee pollinators. Don't be afraid of Utah's native mason bees, they are far less aggressive than you think. Generally speaking, all bees are not predatory, whereas wasps/hornets are predatory. Apache helicopter vs. Chopper 5. Both are similar flying machines, but have different purposes.
Visit research.nativebees.com to download a sheet by the USU Extension Service, or Google "Utah Gardening Bees"
WATER:Bees use water for digestion, cleaning, rearing brood, etc. For nesting female mason bees, mud nest building is vital. Without a close supply of wet dirt, their nesting activity slows down, and you can't grow to viable numbers. They are naturally found in the mountains and canyons near rivers, creeks, etc.
SHELTER:Natural shelters
- Ground-nesters: Over 80% of the world's bee species are ground nesters!
- Foliage-nesters: Bumble Bees, etc.
- Tree-nesters: Mason Bees, Leafcutters, Honeybees, etc.
Manmade Shelters (under constant R&D)
- Ground-nesters: Not much available as of yet, but when a ground nest is discovered, leave it be (don't till it or disrupt it), as generations can last for decades. Many native ground nesting bees are social bees, which means they have high numbers. Also, most of the bees who have a "predilection" for your melons/squashes/gourds are ground nesters, sometimes known as "squash bees".
- Foliage-nesters: Bumble Bee Boxes or Homes
- Trees: This is what I specialize in, are building nests or "bee condos" for propagating large amounts of mason bees, who nest in 6" narrow cavities or "beetle bore holes." To simply begin with mason bees, catch them in your backyards! I suggest the poor man's method: drill bit 5/16" in diameter, 6" in depth, into old logs, old non-cedar fence posts, etc. 5' up from the ground, facing SE, slightly tilted forward—or protected—so water doesn't enter the cavity. If you get only 1 or 2 holes plugged with mud before June hits, you probably have the more valuable of the mason bees, and have 6 bees in each cavity, which is a good way to start. From there you can buy one of my fancy bee condos, or look online for condos that don't hold a candle to mine.
Once we better manage this bee commercially, large scale orchards are very interested in my work.
Spring mason bees emerge in March and April, and females begin the vigorous work of pollination by providing pollen for their offspring. Females nest and fly for only about 6 weeks, which is during peak tree fruit bloom time, and then die, leaving their offspring within the mud-capped narrow cavities to go through the metamorphosis process and emerge the following March and April. Generally speaking, mason bees triple their numbers each year in Utah, which is a good propagation rate (envied by many). I've seen up to 5 and 6 fold increases, and sometimes no increase.
We're having an Orchard Bee Polinator Symposium @ the USU Kaysville Extension on Oct. 12th! Come and learn about pollinators and what you can do. We'll be talking about:
• Reknowned USDA Scientists and Entomologists on Mason Bee research • Orchard managers, and their mason bee results (from CA almonds, UK, etc.) • Personal Trapping of Wild Bees • Urban/Suburban Mason Beekeeping • Workshops - bee identifications - getting started with mason bees - orchard ground cover for native bees - bee-friendly plants by Weber State University's botany dept.
Free lunch for all those who register for $15. Visit OrchardBee.org to register, seats are filling up.
Again, learn how to amplify your crop production in your own backyard by raising mason bees, and assist in the effort to bring mason bees into commercial orchards. The OBA is hosting a public "Orchard Bee Pollinator Symposium & Expo" on Oct. 12th, 8:30am-5pm, at the USU Kaysville Extension Center, which is the new Education building just east of the Utah House.
Sign up to reserve your spot at ORCHARDBEE.ORG
