Encouraging wild and diverse insects is the best way to pollinate crops
FARMERS often use hives full of honeybees to help pollinate crops. A new study published in Science has found that encouraging wild pollinators could be more effective.
Fifty researchers led by Lucas Garibaldi of the Universidad Nacional de Río Negro in Argentina studied the comings and goings of wild pollinators and managed colonies of bees on 41 different crops, ranging from coffee to grapefruit, almonds, cherries and kiwi fruit, in 19 countries around the world. They found that pollination by wild insects, such as bees, beetles, flies and butterflies, resulted in a much higher proportion of flowers forming seeds or fruits.
An increase in visits by wild insects can boost the amount of fruit that starts to grow by twice as much as an equivalent increase in visits by managed honeybees, the study shows.
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Pollinators
- Best practices for pollinatorson July 21, 2024 at 9:31 pm
There have been a few questions / notes from gardeners this year regarding pollinators. Some are seeing lots of pollinators, others are seeing very few. Things are different each year, depending on ...
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Native pollinators include more than 2,000 bee species, as well as others that you may not expect like wasps, moths, beetles, and even bats.
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Upon being stung by a carpenter bee, you’ll feel an immediate and intense pain around the site of the sting, says Dr. Ethan Melillo, PharmD, CDOE. During a mild reaction, a swollen, red bump will ...
- Ironweeds are great for pollinators, plus relocating a snapping turtle | Lehigh Valley Nature Watchon July 20, 2024 at 4:00 am
When you pass wild or uncultivated fields at this time in July, you may see a lot of tall violet-flowered plants — they’re ironweeds.
- Visit a small paradise for pollinatorson July 20, 2024 at 2:58 am
With only a postage stamp yard in a trailer park, Paul has created a suburban oasis for pollinators. Since his retirement from a 30-year career as a biology and ecology teacher, Paul’s passion has ...
- Decline in bees, other pollinating insects leads to shrinking cropson July 19, 2024 at 9:03 am
Many plants, from crops to carnations, cannot bear fruit or reproduce without bees, beetles, butterflies and other insects to pollinate them.
- Meet the Montreal DJ doing his part to protect nature's pollinatorson July 19, 2024 at 3:59 am
Leon Louder's mesmerizing Entomophonia project was created entirely from insect sounds: 'I wondered how I could inspire my audience to want to protect them.' ...
- The 14 Best Full-Sun Perennials, According To Gardening Proson July 18, 2024 at 2:04 pm
These are the best full-sun perennials, according to gardening pros. Many full-sun perennials attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to the landscape.
- Cheesehead TV's Corey Behnke gardens for pollinators and for flavor, and all with a prime view of Lambeau Fieldon July 18, 2024 at 4:01 am
I can’t believe it took me this long to do it. I just love how it makes me feel and to get outdoors.” Milkweed, marshmallow, peppers, pollinators and a little 'chaos' He grows everything from ...
- Arboretum Hosts Pollinators Info Sessionon July 17, 2024 at 1:24 pm
A small group of about 10 people met at Edith J. Carrier Arboretum and Botanical Gardens at James Madison University for its final weekly information session on local pollinator animals ...
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Crop pollination
- Dry weather concerns increaseing statewideon July 22, 2024 at 7:47 am
The beans kind of slowed down once the dry weather kicked in. Hopefully this rain will speed them up and they’ll get their act together here pretty soon. People who got their beans in during the last ...
- Q&A with entomologist: Fewer bees and other pollinating insects lead to shrinking cropson July 22, 2024 at 6:50 am
Many plants, from crops to carnations, cannot bear fruit or reproduce without bees, beetles, butterflies and other insects to pollinate them. But the population of insect pollinators is dropping in ...
- Beekeepers fear almond pollination could be varroa mite 'super-spreader' eventon July 19, 2024 at 5:56 pm
As beekeepers from four states cross borders to pollinate almond trees, there are fears the annual event could help spread the deadly varroa mite around the nation.
- Illinois farmer could see best crop everon July 19, 2024 at 3:06 pm
An Illinois farmer says he’s excited about the prospects for this year’s crop. “I think that it could be my best corn crop.” Matt Bennett, who grows corn and soybeans in Shelby County, says a rainy ...
- Midwest crops benefitting from weather break; August forecast promisingon July 19, 2024 at 2:16 pm
A senior science fellow with Nutrien Ag Solutions says midwestern crops are benefitting from cooler weather. Eric Snodgrass tells Brownfield… “We will likely get through a lot of this pollination ...
- Decline in bees, other pollinating insects leads to shrinking cropson July 19, 2024 at 9:03 am
Many plants, from crops to carnations, cannot bear fruit or reproduce without bees, beetles, butterflies and other insects to pollinate them.
- Why no produce in peak veggie season? Examine garden for these clues to find answeron July 19, 2024 at 4:00 am
Planting pollinator-attracting flowers near a vegetable garden contributes to a “strength in numbers” regimen.
- Fewer Bees And Other Pollinating Insects Lead To Shrinking Cropson July 19, 2024 at 2:14 am
What about the economic importance of insect pollinators? Mallinger: Crops pollinated by animals, primarily insects, make up about one-third of our agricultural production in terms of acreage.
- Impacts of weather on huckleberry crop still to be determinedon July 9, 2024 at 8:35 am
With the state’s flathead cherry crop having been decimated due to an arctic freeze, people are asking if the huckleberry crop will suffer a similar fate.
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