The strange case of tanacetifolia A Preliminary Ecological Study

Andrea Mengassini, B.Sc. Monika M. Grygielewicz, Ph.D. Entomologist Ecologist DNApi Lab FLORApis Beekeeping Group Introducing Phacelia… P. crenulata

P. fremontii

P.P. tanacetifoliatanacetifolia

P. calthifolia What is Phacelia…

Systematics Asteride “Core” Subclade: Euasteride I Order: Solanales Family: Hydrophyllaceae Genus: Phacelia : tanacetifolia Judd et al. “ Systematics” Sinauer Ass. Inc. Publ. - Angiosperm Phylogeny Group

Solanales

Hydrophyllaceae (= )

Phacelia tanacetifolia USA USA and Mexico from arid regions of from arid Biogeography

Phacelia Worldwide

Phacelia distribution tanacetifolia to Europe to from New World the in Europein In Italy and Greece Phacelia Why a so large distribution ??

BIOLOGY Ecological behaviour

HUMAN ACTIVITIES Agricultural facilities

Beekeeping applications BIOLOGY Ecological behaviour

Good adaptability to a wide range of climate and soil types; Well at cool temperatures; Spring and Summer Phacelia flowers approximately 6-8 weeks after germination; Flowering goes on for 6 to 8 weeks HUMAN ACTIVITIES Agricultural facilities - 1

Good performance in limiting nitrate leaching when planted in early fall; Rustic species that germinates in an ample range of temperature (3-20°C); It grows luxuriant on dry and drained substratum. HUMAN ACTIVITIES Agricultural facilities - 2

The radical apparatus is very developed and it improves the structure of the ground, activating the nourishings for the other crops in rotation; Its growth is rapid and competes with the infesting weeds, realizing a good natural biological control (allelopathy); It is an excellent crop of coverage (cover crop). HUMAN ACTIVITIES Beekeeping applications

It’s a very prolonged nectar-provider, flowering for 4-8 weeks; nectar of high quality, source of energetic CHOs; It also provides high quality pollen (used as proteic nourishment for the production of eggs from the Queen). That’s That’s why

… !! but I like Phacelia !! I buy it and I buy and it sow it !! Considerable increase in pronuba populations and in so many other entomological species

What kind of “other entomological species”…?? Rocca Priora, RM

Latina

22 privateprivate fieldsfields in:in: - wooded landscape - agricultural area

Ist Sampling: May 01 – August 31, 2007 Phacelia tanacetifolia setup: April 01, 2008 IInd Sampling: May 01 – August 31, 2008 Entomological Techniques

Landing-net

direct capture every two hours from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Malaise Trap RESULTS 2007 2008 “Entomo”- Sampling before “Entomo” - Sampling after (1) Phacelia tanacetifolia setup Phacelia tanacetifolia setup

Differences in entomo- populations before/after Phacelia setup in field RESULTS Sampling 2008 Sampling 2008 Site A Site B (2) Rocca Priora Latina

Differences in entomo- populations between the 2 sites Clusters of Entomo-Populations before/after Phacelia tanacetifolia Setup Coleoptera Coccinellidae Coleoptera Scarabaeidae

Hemiptera Aphididae Hemiptera Pentatomidae

Hymenoptera Apidae Diptera Agromyzidae Hymenoptera Ichneumonidae Diptera Syrphidae Hymenoptera Formicidae Patterns & Dynamics of Entomo-Populations before/after Phacelia tanacetifolia Setup

100 90 80 70 60 50 Before 40 After 30 20 10 0 CoccinellidaeCo Sc Ag Sy Aph Pe Apo Fo Ic Preliminary Ecological Study - CONCLUSIONS

Very strong attraction on entomofauna in landscape, during flowering, caused by nectar- and pollen-providing; We noticed in the experimental areas an increase of infestations of harmful entomospecies to disadvantage of the useful ones in biological control (IPM); High competition level if Phacelia blooms at the same time of other melliferous in field Preliminary Ecological Study - CONCLUSIONS In conclusion: Phacelia is good for bees & beekeepers, not so good for environment

The strange case of Phacelia tanacetifolia…

For all these reasons: we suggest an evaluation of environmental impact before Phacelia sets up in field