Native Pollinators thread

[MichaelW]

Hi, I have been reading up on learning more about raising various native bee pollinators and looked at beesource today and saw some people discussing Blue Orchard Bees and bumblebees. So, how about a thread on Native pollinators? I would be willing to be a moderator, and maybe others could volunteer as well as my beesource time has become quite limited lately. Any interest?

something like,

"Native Pollinators - discuss raising and other issues of concern for pollinating bees other than the honey bee."

[BeeAware]

I'm interested. I raise Osmia Lignaria, Osmia Cornifrons and a few bumble bees.

[MichaelW]

I'll post a link to this thread in the main bee forum to see if that corrals up any more interest.

[shawnwri]

I think it would be interesting reading though I don't have much to add to the discussion.

[BeeKeep]

This was an interesting book overall. Bernd Heinrich is a biologist from VT. He's written a variety of books that I've found intersting for the non-biologist. In this book, he studies the Bumble Bee from an energy consumption / gathering perspective.

I made / placed a Bombus Box to try to attract BumbleBees this spring to no avail -- perhaps I'll get a queen next spring.

I too would enjoy a forum on Native Polinators. I probably have littl to contribute, but I sure would enjoy the learning.

[loggermike]

I considered raising alternative pollinators at one time but realized my pollination business with honeybees was more than enough work.In this area the other bee species are doing fine and I enjoy watching them.If the thread will only be about native pollinators , then alfalfa leafcutters and blue orchard bees wont qualify.

[MichaelW]

Actually you can trap local, native blue orchard bees and use them as your stock to develop. They are said to be widespread throughout north America. I'm not sure on the Alfalfa bees, but I understood they where native to some large area in the states. Now the Japanesee hornfaced are not native, neither are some of the greenhouse bumblebee imports.

At any rate we should probably just say "alternative pollinators".

I have the book "BumbleBee Economics" on my desk to read. Looks interesting and was recommended.

[Keith Benson]

Bumblebee Economics is a great read.

Just received: http://befriendingbumblebees.com/

Interesting book. I will be trying it next year.

Keith

[loggermike]

Looks like I got confused by the latin names (too late , too tired) and should take a refresher course on bee species:
http://www.attra.org/attra-pub/nativebee.html
Found this too and will read it later:
http://www.sare.org/publications/bob.htm
There is a lot of interest in using blue orchard bees in the almonds and tests have been ongoing.
Several years ago ,certain vocal proponents of 'native bees' operating on the erroneous assumption that honeybees were hurting native bee populations, tried to get beekeepers excluded from areas in California,Florida and Australia. Research showed this was not the case as there was a difference in foraging times and preferred flowers.

[loggermike]

Soooooo....yeah there probably would be some interest in an' alternative, native, or other bees ' forum.

[MichaelW]

Ok, I guess the next question, probably should have been the first, is...

What does Barry think?

Others feel free to add as well.

[Keith Benson]

[SIZE=5]WWBD?[/SIZE]

LOL

Keith

[Aspera]

Bumblebee Economics is a great read.

Just received: http://befriendingbumblebees.com/

Interesting book. I will be trying it next year.

Keith

I just got mine too. I read the whole thing in a single sitting. Its really fun. Can anyone recommend an field guide to ID the fuzzy ladies with? based on what this book says, I want to avoid collecting rare native bumble bees.

[Keith Benson]

I went to the website for the plans for the little boxes and such but I don't think it is updated as yet.

This is gonna be cool.

Keith

[MichaelW]

I'm about half way through Bumblebee Economics. Here's a quote to learn from!

"A worker must, over its life, not only bring in as many resources as it expends, it must, in addition: 1.repay the colony the cost of having produced it, and 2. make an income that can be ultimately expressed in terms of production of sexuals."

[George Fergusson]

I'll weigh in on this. I think a Native Pollinators forum or an Alternative Pollinators forum (my preference) is a great idea. Count me in. I'm pollinating a friend's greenhouse tomatoes with bumble bees I got from Koppert and I've got a wild bumble bee colony living in my attic.

Michael, I'd be happy to help moderate such a forum.

[Keith Benson]

I went to the website for the plans for the little boxes and such but I don't think it is updated as yet.

The plans for the starter boxes are up now.

Keith

[Keith Benson]

I'll weigh in on this. I think a Native Pollinators forum or an Alternative Pollinators forum (my preference) is a great idea.

What is the chance of a new forum for other pollinators being started? Is this something taht might actually happen?

Keith

[MichaelW]

well I haven't actually asked Barry yet via PM, just letting the idea simmer, but send him one off if you want to.

alternative pollinators is something I am looking into, so I would participate.

[Keith Benson]

Done.

Keith