Pollinators in our Blueberries: Are We Taking it for Granted? John - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Pollinators in our Blueberries: Are We Taking it for Granted?

USDA, ARS, Thad Cochran Southern Horticultural Laboratory, Southern Horticultural Research Unit John J. Adamczyk, Jr. Blair Sampson

Blueberry Pollinating Fact Sheet

* Many points taken from NCSU Extension Service.

• A single blueberry plant produces thousands of flower buds every year!
• Up to 16 individual flowers from each bud with each flower a potential berry
• Pollen from the anthers much reach the stigma so an ovule can be fertilized and develop

within the ovary

• Dozens of developing seeds inside each berry need to be fertilized in order

to develop normally

• For a number of reasons, in order to set fruit, the flowers of a blueberry plant must

be pollinated by insects

Southeastern Blueberry Bee, Hapropoda laboriosa

• Most Common Pollinator in our Blueberry Fields
• Sonicate or buzz pollinate
• May specialize on blueberries, but may not be the most efficient pollinator with

respect to single visit efficiency

Southeastern Blueberry Bee

Southeastern Blueberry Bee

Bombus sp. queen on blueberry flower Bombus bimaculatus (native species) Bombus impatiens (imported species)

• Can be active in adverse weather conditions
• Can produce more seeds than other pollinators
• Sonicate flowers, which may increase pollination

Bumble Bee Quads

The Honey Bee, Apis mellifera

• “legitimately” forages for blueberry nectar and pollen through the opening at the apex
• f flowers
• managed hive rates of 1-4 per acre of blueberries
• honey bees may also take advantage of slits made by carpenter bees to feed on nectar

(some pollination)

• relatively low single visit pollinating success (i.e. develop into viable seed)

Male Carpenter Bee Robbing Blueberry Flower

Honey Bee Robbing Blueberry Flower via Carpenter Bee Robbery Holes

Osmia ribifloris, manageable blueberry pollinator, not yet available

Do not apply this product while bees are foraging. Do not apply this product until flowering is complete and all petals have fallen unless one of the following conditions is met:

“The Label is the Law”

Scott Stewart, UT Extension

The application is made to the target site after sunset The application is made to the target site when temperatures are below 55˚F The application is made in accordance with a government- initiated public health response The application is made due to an imminent threat of significant crop loss, and a documented determination consistent with an IPM plan or predetermined economic threshold is met. Every effort should be made to notify beekeepers no less than 48- hours prior to the time of the planned application so that the bees can be removed, covered or otherwise protected prior to spraying.

“The Label is the Law”

Scott Stewart, UT Extension

“Bee Awareness” Programs

Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, etc.

Voluntary agreement between stakeholder groups

• Beekeepers
• Growers
• Applicators
• Regulatory authorities

Communication and common sense

Scott Stewart, UT Extension

Questions?