www.sare.org publications managing-alternative-pollinators chapter-eight-other-managed-pollinators the-alkali-bee The Alkali Bee (Nomia melanderi) Along with the alfalfa leafcutter bee (see Chapter 7), alfalfa seed production in the US has historically been linked to the alkali bee (Nomia melanderi), a ground-nesting bee native to arid regions in the western US. The alkali bee’s affinity for alfalfa blossoms (see sidebar: Alfalfa Pollination) was first recognized by forage producers in the […]
www.sare.org publications managing-alternative-pollinators chapter-eight-other-managed-pollinators Chapter Eight: Other Managed Pollinators Eric Mader, Pollinator Outreach Coordinator, the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation Aside from mason bees, bumble bees, and leafcutter bees, there are a number of less commonly managed pollinators—the “alternatives to alternatives,” so to speak. For the most part, management systems for these species remain largely underdeveloped, and there is much room for adaptation, experimentation, […]
www.sare.org publications managing-alternative-pollinators chapter-seven-the-alfalfa-leafcutter-bee parasite-control-during-incubation Parasite Control During Incubation Some producers cover loose cells with a 1-inch (2.54-centimeter) layer of sawdust or vermiculite during incubation. It is thought that bees and parasites can work their way through this material, but that parasitic wasps cannot return through the material to re-infest other cells. Perlite should not be used for this purpose as it contains a […]
www.sare.org publications managing-alternative-pollinators chapter-seven-the-alfalfa-leafcutter-bee storage-incubation-and-emergence Storage, Incubation, and Emergence Filled nest blocks can be stored in field shelters or in an unheated building. Bees allowed to overwinter this way under ambient temperatures will typically begin emerging from the nests in early to mid-June and have an extended emergence period that lasts weeks or even months. If the nest blocks are left in field shelters, […]
www.sare.org publications managing-alternative-pollinators chapter-seven-the-alfalfa-leafcutter-bee loose-cell-processing-equipment Loose-Cell Processing Equipment Processing loose cells requires several pieces of specialized equipment. “Cell strippers” are machines used to punch cells from nest blocks, and tumblers break apart the individual cells and remove parasites and debris (Figure 7.19). Dip tanks are used to hold strong bleach solutions for disinfecting nests. The scale and level of sophistication varies between producers […]
www.sare.org publications managing-alternative-pollinators chapter-seven-the-alfalfa-leafcutter-bee release-rates-methods-and-end-of-season-nest-removal Release Rates, Methods, and End-of-Season Nest Removal Release rates for bees vary between 10,000 (1 gallon) per acre and 20,000 (2 gallons) per acre (~25,000 and 50,000 bees per hectare) for newly seeded alfalfa fields and up to 30,000 to 40,000 bees per acre (~74,000 to 100,000 per hectare) for established alfalfa fields. At higher rates, more effective pollination occurs, but bee […]
www.sare.org publications managing-alternative-pollinators chapter-seven-the-alfalfa-leafcutter-bee field-shelters Field Shelters Bee nests are normally housed in field shelters for protection from rain, wind, and direct sunlight (Figure 7.16). As with nests, a great deal of research has been performed on various shelter designs, evaluating them on the basis of heat buildup, wind turbulence, and bee orientation among other factors. Like nests, the results of this […]
www.sare.org publications managing-alternative-pollinators chapter-seven-the-alfalfa-leafcutter-bee nesting-equipment Nesting Equipment Historically leafcutter bee nests consisted of drilled pine or fir boards, usually 3 to 4 inches by 4 to 6 inches (~7.6 to 10 centimeters by 10 to 15 centimeters) in width, and often up to 4 feet (~1.2 meters) in length. Boards were drilled with a series of dead-end holes for nest tunnels. Such […]
www.sare.org publications managing-alternative-pollinators chapter-seven-the-alfalfa-leafcutter-bee obtaining-and-handling-bees Obtaining and Handling Bees Leafcutter bees can be obtained by trap-nesting wild populations. To do this, nests are set out in the early spring in locations that have good numbers of wild bees, then the nests are removed in the fall. Ideal locations to place nests are on the sides of old barns or wooden farm structures, adjacent to […]
www.sare.org publications managing-alternative-pollinators chapter-seven-the-alfalfa-leafcutter-bee life-cycle Life Cycle In nature, leafcutter bees nest in cavities like tunnels made by wood-boring insects. The absence of abundant and secure nesting sites limits the size of wild populations. Artificial nests can be constructed with blocks of wood or Styrofoam drilled with multiple holes, bundles of paper straws, or even sections of reed or bamboo to increase […]