Impact Of Honey Bees On Crop Production

Phillip Carter

Regional Extension Agent

Houston County Extension Office

What Is Pollination?

Pollination is the transfer of pollen from the

male part of a flower to the female part.

Pollination

• “major” crops– Almonds

– Fruits - apples, berries, etc

– Vegetables, primarily vine crops

• Over 90 crops• Value . $14 billion annually• 1/3rd of our diet from bee pollinated crops• Increasing, not diminishing, demand

FERTILIZATION is accomplished when the male sex cell is transferred via the pollen tube and fuses with the female egg nucleus within the ovule to form a zygote.

SELF POLLINATIONPollen is transferred from the anther to the stigma of the same flower, other flowers of the same plant or other plants of identical genetic material “clones”.

CROSS POLLINATIONPollen is transferred from a flower on one plant to a flower on another plant that is not genetically the same.

Some plants have separate male (staminate) and female (pistillate) flowers.

On same plant (Monoecious)

On separate plants (Dioecious)

Plants have evolved flowers which attract bees through:

color

scent

nectar guides

shape

To maximize discovery and exploitation.

©2001 D. Sammataro photo

Honey Bees - Important Pollinators

• Available in early spring in large numbers

• $15 billion industry– Put them where we want

them, when we need them

• One third of food we eat pollinated by bees

• Floral consistency

• Forage over large area

• Manageable

HONEY BEES ARE OUR BEST POLLINATORS

• They can be moved in great numbers

• They are efficient

• They are organized and concentrate on one crop at a time

To Date, No Commercially Satisfactory Substitute For Bee Pollination Has Been

Found For Any Major Insect-Pollinated Crop

Pollination, as a commercial business, provides the

beekeeper an opportunity to increase their income and

build more financial security in their business.

Honey Bees Are Indispensable To American Agriculture

Know Your Crops!!!

• When does it bloom?• How long does it bloom?• How many hives per acre?• What does the Grower want?

Pumpkin

How many?

• Varies w/ crop• Varies w/ beekeeper• 75%+ col minimum strength

– For example cucumber in eastern US • 1 col for every 3-4 acres (small fields near woods)• 1-3 col/acre (larger fields in agricultural area)• 2 col/acre (high density)• 1 bee/100 flowers• 1 col/50,000 plants (w/ appropriate ♂/♀ ratio)

Beehive

Foraging Areas of Honey Bees

Bees fly on average up to 2 miles from their colony.

This gives them over 8000 acres to forage.

Distance Distance + Direction

Know Your Crops!!!

• What kind of pest/herbicides are used?• What work goes on during bloom?• Pollinator Handbook www.beeculture.com

Know Your Bees!!!

• How Many Adult Bees?

• How Much Brood?

• How Many Mites?

• How Much AFB?

• How Many SHB?

Colony Management

• Only healthy hives• Queen right• Presentable• Open brood• Adult Bees

The Ideal Pollination Colony?

• Standard equipment in good shape• Strong population (4+ frames adults & brood)• Slightly inadequate pollen stores

• Adequate honey stores

• Queen-right

• Gentle

Educate your Grower

• Don’t know much about bees• Are (somewhat) suspicious • Reluctantly depend on you• Watch entrance activity• Don’t want dandelions pollinated• Want to see bees working very hard• May want to spray• Open a hive with them, but don’t get them stung

Pollination Contracts

• Number & strength of colonies• Plan of colony distribution• Time of delivery and removal• Beekeepers right of entry• Degree of protection from

pesticides• Plan for payment(s)• Penalities for poor

colonies/service• Bonus for excellent service

Pollination Contracts

TERMS OF AGREEMENT

• Date of movement of bees into the crop, or the time relative to a certain condition of bloom, and the date on which bees are to be removed.

• Location of crop

• Number and strength of colonies

• Pattern of colony placement

• Rental fee and the date(s) on which it is payable

• Statement of colony ownership

Pollination Contracts

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BEEKEEPER• Quality of hives• Timely placement of hives after notice• Management of colonies• Open randomly selected colonies to show strength• Swarm retrieval• Timely removal of hives after notice• How much notice

Pollination ContractsRESPONSIBILITIES OF THE GROWER

• Provide suitable location to place hives

• Give right of entry to beekeeper for management of bees.

• Not to apply bee-toxic pesticides while bees are in the crop

• Give the beekeeper 48 hours notice if spraying is necessary

• Not allow spray to puddle

• Warn beekeeper of other spraying in the area

• Reimburse the beekeeper for additional colony movements

• Pay at time agreed upon

• Supply water source

Pollination On A Handshake

• This seems to be how most do it

• Probably not the best way

• Asking for a contracts can be awkward

• Get job at the last minute

• Doing it for a friend

Pollinator Sayings• “What ….you need them tomorrow”• “This old truck will make it.”• “No one predicted rain.”• “Is that gate locked?”• “I thought you had the matches.”• “He won’t know the difference.”• “I won’t forget where they are.”• “What…. you left the duct tape on the bumper”• “We’ll close em tonight when we pick em up”

When to Move Bees on Target Crop

• Some bloom is present

• Reduce the likelihood of competitive sources

• Large acreages that have gradual full bloom bees can be brought in with 2 moves over a 10 day period

• Grower may require bee placement

Moving The Bees

• Get them ready during the day• Ventilation if hot or large populations• Strap, staple, nail• Clear and mow around hives• Find a friend

(A Few Good Ones)

Moving The Bees

• What will you move them on

Distribution Of Colonies

• Best coverage for pollination is in groups 500’ intervals• The closer the colonies to target crop the better• New location 3-5 day period 50-100 yards foraging• Farther the foraging less efficient the pollination• < 40 acres groups at outside borders of field• > 500’ across groups at center of borders should have

more colonies• Groups of hives can be >4

Factors To Successful Pollination

• Favorable Weather• Adequate Pollinator Population

Adequate Pollination Results In:

• Increased Yields

• Faster Maturing Fruit

• Improved Fruit Quality (Shape, Size)

• Increased Sugar/ Oil Content

Bees Are Necessary In The Pollination Of Vine Crops

• Two Types Of Flowers Are Found On The Vines

• Pollen Is Dense And Sticky

How Many Bee Visits Are Needed?

As The Number Of Seed Increases, So Does Weight

And Sweetness