The effect of nest box distribution on sustainable propagation of Osmia lignaria (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) in commercial tart cherry orchards

Authors: Boyle, Natalie; Pitts Singer, Theresa

Submitted to: Journal of Insect Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/24/2017
Publication Date: 3/30/2017
Citation: Boyle, N.K., Pitts Singer, T. 2017. The effect of nest box distribution on sustainable propagation of Osmia lignaria (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) in commercial tart cherry orchards. Journal of Insect Science. 17(2):41.

Interpretive Summary: The blue orchard bee is a solitary, native bee that is an excellent pollinator of tree fruit orchards. Due to the annual rising costs of honey bee hive rentals, many orchardists are eager to develop management tools and practices to support blue orchard bees as alternative pollinators. To establish blue orchard bee pollination as a sustainable industry, many considerations of bee and orchard management can be made. Here, we provide support for sustainable reproduction of blue orchard bees in tart cherry orchards in Utah, and demonstrate how artificial nest box distribution within orchards can influence year-to-year propagation efforts.

Technical Abstract: The blue orchard bee, Osmia lignaria Say, is a solitary, native bee that is an excellent pollinator of tree fruit orchards. Due to the annual rising costs of honey bee hive rentals, many orchardists are eager to develop management tools and practices to support O. lignaria as alternative pollinators. To establish O. lignaria pollination as a sustainable industry, many considerations of bee and orchard management can be made. Here, we provide support for sustainable reproduction of O. lignaria in tart cherry orchards in Utah, and demonstrate how artificial nest box distribution within orchards can influence year-to-year propagation efforts.