Pollinator Conservation Short Course Thank You!! Penn State University, State College, PA Special thanks to: Christina Grozinger, Kim Swistock, David Biddinger, Neelendra Joshi, and Ed Rajotte (Penn State University) and Ashley Minnerath (Xerces Society)
Presented by Mace Vaughan, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation and USDA NRCS Kelly Gill, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation and USDA NRCS (NJ) David Biddinger, Penn State University, Fruit Research and Extension Center
Photo: Rollin Colville Photo: Mace Vaughan
What is the Xerces Society? What is the Xerces Society?
Pollinator conservation Endangered species
Since 1971, the Society has worked to protect wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitat.
Xerces blue butterfly Butterfly conservation Aquatic conservation (Glaucopsyche xerces), the first U.S. butterfly to go extinct due to human activities.
Photos: California NRCS and Ed Ross Photos: Joel Sartore, Matthew Shepherd, Carly Voight, David Funk
New Aquatic Invertebrates Conservation Program What is the Xerces Society?
Migratory Dragonfly Partnership http://www.xerces.org/dragonfly-migration/ The Xerces Society’s Pollinator Conservation Program
• Habitat restoration • Technical guides and trainings • Documenting at-risk pollinators • Applied restoration research
Joint Staff Biologist Positions • USDA-Natural Resources Conservation common green darner Anax junius Service (NRCS) • University of Minnesota Extension
Staff Backgrounds • Farming, entomology, teaching, wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, wandering glider beekeeping, and native seed production Pantala flavescens (11,000 km roundtrip!) Photo: Greg Lasley Photo: Greg Lasley Photo: Eric Mader
1 Short Course Outline
Overview of today: • Importance of pollinators • Bee biology and i.d. • Bee-friendly farming Break • PA Case Study: reducing bee risk from pest management • Assessing pollinator habitat Lunch (12 to 1) and field tour • Habitat restoration • Bee conservation and USDA Farm Bill programs • Additional resources • Wrap up: raffle and evals.
Photo: Matthew Shepherd Photo: Nancy Adamson (Xerces Society)
Insect Pollinators: An Ecological Keystone
Module 1. The Importance of Pollinators
More than 80 percent of flowering plants (~240,000 sp.) require an insect to move pollen.
Ollerton, J., R. Winfree, and S. Tarrant. 2011. How many flowering plants are pollinated by animals? Oikos 120: 321-326. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0706.2010.18644.x. Potts, S.G., J.C. Biesmeijer, C. Kremen, P. Neumann, O. Schweiger, and W. E. Kunin. 2010. Global Photo: Bruce Newhouse pollinator delines: trends, impacts and drivers. Trends in Ecology and Evoluntion. 25(6): 345-353. Photo: Eric Mader
Bugs Drive the System Importance of Pollinators: Human Nutrition
Benefits to Other Pollinators provide an ecosystem service that Wildlife: enables plants to produce fruits and seeds. • Pollinator-produced • 35% of crop production, worldwide fruits and seeds comprise 25% of • Over $18 to $27 billion value of crops in the bird and U.S. ($217 billion worldwide) mammal diets • Most of our vitamins and minerals are from • Pollinators are food insect-pollinated plants © Sierra Vision Stock for wildlife (e.g. • One in three mouthfuls of food and drink 89% of birds feed we consume on insects) • Pollinator habitat is compatible with the needs of other wildlife, such as songbirds
Eilers et al 2011. Contribution of Pollinator Mediated Crops to Nutrients in Human Food Supply. PlosONE Morse RA, Calderone NW. 2000. The value of honey bees as pollinators of U.S. crops in 2000. Bee Culture 128: 1–15. Klein et al. 2007. Importance of pollinators in changing landscapes for world crops. Proc. R. Soc. B 274: 303-313. USDA-NRCS Mace Vaughan Photo: USDA-ARS/Peggy Greb
2 Importance of Pollinators: Human Nutrition Whole Foods Produce With Bee Pollinated Crops
A third of our crops depend on insect pollinators—primarily bees
Photo: USDA-ARS/Peggy Greb Photo: Whole Foods Market
Whole Foods Produce Without Bees Importance of Pollinators: USDA’s Organic Rule
Insects matter! Organic Ag Defined by the USDA: . “A production system that is managed…by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity” (7 CFR 205.2)
Organic Food Production Act, 1990
Photo: Whole Foods Market Photo: Mace Vaughan (Xerces Society)
Main Groups of Pollinators Bees: The Most Important Pollinators
• Bees actively collect and transport pollen • Bees exhibit flower constancy • Bees regularly forage in area around nest
Photos: James Cane; Jeff Adams; Dana Ross; Bruce Newhouse Photos: Mace Vaughan, Bob Hammond, David Inouye, Bruce Newhouse Photo: Edward S. Ross
3 Bee Diversity: Native Bees Crop Pollination by Bees
The European honey bee – the most North America is home to approximately familiar managed crop pollinator 4,000 species of native bees We are reliant on a pollinator that is experiencing many problems.
Native sunflower bee (Svastra sp.)
Photo: Rollin Colville Photo: USDA-ARS/Scott Bauer
Crop Pollination: Honey Bees in Decline Honey Bees: Colony Collapse Disorder
Fewer Honey Bees Available Varroa mite Colony Collapse Disorder • 50% decline in managed hives In 2006-7, about 25% of beekeeping since 1950 operations in the U.S. lost an • 70-100% decline in feral average of 45% of hives. colonies Causes: Disease, pests, honey prices, loss of habitat, pesticides and…
vanEngelsdorp, D., R. Underwood, D. Caron, J. Hayes Jr. 2007.An Estimate of Managed Colony Losses in the Winter of Nation al Research Council. 2007. Status of Pollinators in North America. National Academies Press, 326 pgs. Photo: USDA-ARS/Scott Bauer 2006 - 2007: A Report Commissioned by the Apiary Inspectors of America. Am. Bee Journal147, 599-603. Photo: Eric Mader
Honey Bees: New Annual Loss Rates Possible Causes of Colony Collapse Disorder
Colony Collapse Disorder Annual losses… • Insecticides? Pre-CCD (1995-2006): • Disease/pathogen? 15% - 22% per year •Pests? Post-CCD (2006-today): • Poor diet? 29% - 36% per year • Poor genetics? • Stress?
Photo: USDA-ARS/Scott Bauer Photo: USDA-ARS/Scott Bauer
4 The Rising Cost of Commercial Pollination The Rising Cost of Commercial Pollination 2008
2007 Honey bee colony rental rates for selected California crops, 1995–2005. Honey bee colony rental rates for selected California crops, 1995–2005. Plus almonds, 2006-2013 2006
Pollination and Crop Security What Happens to Us When Bees Decline?
As bees decline, crop acreage requiring bee pollination grows From 1961 to 2006, the percent of global cropland requiring bee pollination rose 300% in total acreage (world population grew from 3 to 7 billion)
1 Aizen MA, LA Garibaldi, SA Cunningham, AM Klein. 2008. Long-term global trends in crop yield and production reveal no current pollination shortage but increasing pollinator dependency. Current Biology 18:1572-1575. Photo: Nancy Adamson Photo: Business Week Magazine
Other Important Bees in Decline Crop Pollination: Important to Diversify
Yellow-banded Franklin’s Honey Bee Fewer Honey Bees Available Declines Are Only • Important to diversify pollinators Part of the Story for agriculture • Important to strengthen habitat Native Bees Also and pesticide protection for all in Decline bees (honey and native)
Imperiled bumble bees
© Jodi DeLong © Peter Schroeder
Some teetering on the Rusty patched Western brink of extinction
Disease spread by commercial bumble bees
Evans, E.,R. Thorp, S. Jepsen, and S. Hoffman Black, 2009. Status Review of Three Formerly Common Species of Bumble Bee in the Subgenus Bombus. Xerces Society. Cameron et al. 2011. Patterns of widespread decline in North American bumble bees. PNAS © Johanna James-Heinz © Derrick Ditchburn Photos:Toby Alexander, VT-NRCS; Bob Hammond, CSU Coop Ext
5 Crop Pollination: Important to Diversify Crop Pollination: Important to Diversify
Hundreds of species of native bees contribute significantly to crop pollination. • $3 billion/year
Contribution of native bees to crop pollination: • 80+ species visit berry crops in New England • 100+ species visit blue berry in Michigan • 100+ species visit WI cranberries • 100+ species visit apples in NY and PA • 60+ species visit CA tomato, sunflower, or watermelon Losey, J. and M. Vaughan. 2006. The Economic Value of Ecological Services Provided by Insects. Bioscience 56 (4). Photos: USDA-ARS/Scott Bauer & Edward McCain Photo: Mace Vaughan
Specialist Solitary Bees Buzz Pollination by Native Bees
Example: Cherry Tomatoes Example: Squash Bees When native bees were present, • Ground-nesting under the production of Sungold cherry squash plants tomatoes almost tripled. • Active in early morning (before sunrise) • Pollinate flowers before honey bees begin foraging1 • 67% of sites studied across the U.S. had all pollination needs met by squash bees2 • Excellent at locating new, isolated squash plantings
1. Tepedino, V. J. 1981. The pollination efficiency of the squash bee (Peponapis pruinosa) and the honey bee (Apis mellifera) on summer squash (Cucurbita pepo). Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society 54:359-377. Photo: Eric Mader Greenleaf, S. S.,and C. Kremen. 2006. Wild bee species increase tomato production and respond 2. Jim Cane (USDA ARS Logan Bee Lab). 2011. Personal communication Photo: Nancy Adamson differently to surrounding land use in Northern California. Biological Conservation 133:81-87. Photos: Anne Berblinger; Mace Vaughan
Native Bee Diversity in Agriculture Wild Pollinators: Better Quality Pollination
Example: Blue Orchard Bee Recent study of 41 crops around the globe: • Wild pollinators improved fruit set at twice the rate of honey bees • 250 to 750 females/acre compared • Wild pollinators and honey bees promote fruit set independently to 1 to 2.5 hives of honey bees • Make contact with anther and stigma on almost every visit • Active at low light levels and low temperatures • 33+ hours foraging in 5 days • 15+ hours by honey bees
mining bee on peach
Garobaldi, L. A. et al.. 2013. Wild pollinators enhance fruit set of crops regardless of honey bee abundance. Bosch, J. and W. Kemp. 2001. How to Manage the Blue Orchard Bee as an Orchard Science 339 (6127) : 1608-1611. Photo: Nancy Adamson Pollinator. Sustainable Agriculture Network. Beltsville, MD. 88 pp. . Photos: Mace Vaughan, Eric Mader
6 Bees vs Wasps Module 2: Basic Bee Biology • Close relatives • Both provide for their young • Wasps: omnivores • Bees: vegetarians
sunflower bee sweat bee digger wasp on brown-eyed Susan Photo: Nancy Adamson on sea ox-eye daisy on sumac Photos: Nancy Adamson
Bee Identification Honey Bee: Introduced to the U.S.
Bees evolved from wasps better collect pollen & nectar
Branched hair
Long Scopa: pollen-carrying hairs tongues (on abdomen or hind legs)
European Honey Bee
Photos: Ralph Hozenthal, Mace Vaughan, Steve Buchmann (Apis meliffera) Photo: Rollin Coville
Native Bee Diversity Native Bee Families
North America: ~ 4,000 species Pennsylvania: 400+ species
Apidae Megachilidae Andrenidae
Halictidae Colletidae Mellitidae
May be referred to as non-Apis bees, wild bees, and/or solitary* bees Photo: Edward S. Ross Photos: Eric Mader, Lynn Monroe (bugguide.net), Eileen Miller, Edward Ross, Eric Mader, Jennifer Hopwood
7 Body Size and Shape Native Bee Diversity
Overall body shape:
Slender Moderate Robust
Body size:
Small Medium Large (4 – 8mm) (9 – 14mm) (15 - 25mm)
Photos: Edward S. Ross, Betsy Betros, Jennifer Hopwood Photos: Stephen L. Buchmann
Three Broad Groups of Native Bees Life Cycle of a Solitary Bee
Ground-nesting bees Tunnel-nesting bees (solitary) (solitary)
Mining bee (Andrena sp.): a year in its underground nest as egg, Bumble bees larva, and pupa before emerging to (social) spend a few weeks as an adult.
Photos: Mace Vaughan (Xerces), Edward Ross Photos: Dennis Briggs
Ground Nesting Bees Ground Nesting Bees
70% of native bee species nest in the ground • Resemble ant-nests from above ground • Very common bees • May aggregate nests • Conserve sandy soil, bare ground
Nest chambers are lined with waxy glandular secretions, and can sometimes even resist flooding.
Photo: Eric Mader © Dennis Briggs Source: Stephen, Bohart, and Torchio, 1967 © Dennis Briggs
8 Ground nesting: Mining or digger bees Ground nesting: Squash bees Peponapis pruinosa, Xenoglossa strenua & Andrena X. kansensis • Early spring (generally) yellow “nose” • Specialize on cucurbit pollen: summer & winter • Nest in well-drained soils, aggregate on male squash, melon, cucumber • Important for tree fruit and berries • Nest in or near crop Scout for & conserve nesting sites • Active early a.m., summer apple Avoid deep tilling whenever possible male long tongue
males often smaller than females
blueberry female ground nesting— but males sleep in Photos: Nancy Adamson Photos:Nancy Adamson, Eric Mader, Jim Cane, International Pollination Services. squash flowers
Ground nesting: Green sweat bees Ground nesting: Sweat bees
Agapostemon, Augochlora pura*, swamp rose, Halictus & Lasioglossum/Dialictus Rosa palustris Augochlorella, Augochloropsis • Small, black, dark green, dark blue, with • Generalists, short-tongued, buzz bands of white on abdomen • Some nest communally, but each female • Solitary, communal (aggregate nests) to semi- builds and provisions her brood cells social (daughters help care for young) *Augochlora also nests in rotting wood • Many generalists, active all season Conserve nesting sites Conserve nesting sites & & avoid deep tilling blueberry avoid deep tilling
Halictus ligatus on yarrow, serviceberry, melon Achellia millefolium Amelanchier sp.
tomato
Photos: Nancy Adamson Photos: Nancy Adamson
Tunnel-Nesting Bees Tunnel-Nesting Bees
Roughly 30% of native species Hollow stem example: • Nest in hollow or pithy plant stems, or old beetle borer holes Cross-section of silk cocoons • Nest tunnel partitions constructed of mud, leaf pieces, or sawdust • Artificially managed for some crops Pollen mass Egg Mud wall • Conserve snags, brush piles Larva Pupa Adult • Pithy-stemmed plants (e.g. box elder, cane fruit, or elderberry)
Silk cocoons with dormant bees inside Mud cap closure
Photos: Edward Ross, Darrin O’Brien, Matthew Shepherd
9 Tunnel-Nesting Bees Tunnel nesting: Mason or orchard bees Osmia Nest cells separated with mud or leaf partitions • Small to medium size, robust build • Usually metallic blue or green • Wide bodies and heads • Scopa on underside of abdomen • Active in spring and early summer Conserve snags, brush piles & scopa pithy-stemmed plants O. collinsiae on oxalis Photo: T’ai Roulston (UVA)
O. virga on apple scopa
O. cornifrons or O. taurus (introduced spp.) Photos: Nancy Adamson on blueberry and male cleaning
Tunnel nesting: Leafcutter bees Bumble bees, Bombus spp. Megachile • Small to large size 45 species in U.S.,~26 in East • Wide bodies and heads • Social colonies founded by single queen • Dark, typically with pale stripes • Annual, last only one season • Scopa on underside of abdomen • Nest may contain 25-400 workers • M. rotundata intro’d for alfalfa • Nests in abandoned rodent burrows or Conserve snags, brush piles & M. mendica on under lodged grasses pithy-stemmed plants blackberrry • Conserve brush piles, un-mowed areas
blanket flower, scopa Gaillardia Bombus vagans on clover Photos: Eric Mader, Edward S. Ross, Jennifer Hopwood, Nancy Adamson Photos: Elaine Evans, Nancy Adamson
Life cycle of a bumble bee colony Bumble bees: Excellent crop pollinators
Winter: Hibernating queen • Pollinators of red clover, Bombus ternarius Fall: Mated queens on blueberry, tomato, cucurbits Vaccinium sp. seek overwintering • More efficient than honey sites bees for blueberry, cranberry, Spring: Nest cucurbits (squash, melon) establishment • Active in cool and wet and egg laying weather & “buzz” pollinate Fall: New queens leave the nest and mate Bombus impatiens & B. griseocollis on squash
Fall: Old queen dies Summer: Colony peak
Illustration: David Wysotski Photos:, Nancy Adamson, Steve Javorek (AgCanada)
10 NEW Bumble bee conservation guide Cuckoo bees: Nest parasites (cleptoparasites)
Coelioxys Sphecodes Triepeolus
Nomada Adults feed on pollen & nectar, lay eggs in host nest • Slender, wasp-like • Small to medium size • Bodies not hairy, no scopa • Coloration highly variable http://www.xerces.org/b • May have spiky projections umblebees/guidelines • Use sent to locate and evade host
Photos: Lloyd Spitalnik, David Gordon, Nancy Adamson
Other Flower Visitors Other Flower Visitors
• Flies are omnivores Some mimic bees / wasps • Nectar, pollen • Bigger eyes • Other animals, carrion • Shorter antenna • Detritus, dung • 1 pair of wings • Many fly species are natural enemies of insect pests
syrphid fly on scabiosa daisy
Photo: Nancy Adamson Photo: Nancy Adamson, Adam Varenhorst
Other Flower Visitors Other Flower Visitors
What to look for: • Adults sip nectar • Larvae eat specific host plants • One pair (flies) vs. • Adult lays egg near food source two pairs (most other insects) • Short, stout antenna vs. threadlike • Constricted waist Wasps Flies vs. abdomen broadly attached • Mouthparts • Legs with spines vs. pollen-carrying structures • Body hairs sparse vs. abundant
Photos: Mace Vaughan, Jolie Goldenetz Dollar Photos: Mace Vaughan, James Cane, MJ Hatfield, Carl Kurtz
11 Insecticides and Pollinators Module 3: Pollinator-Friendly Farm Practices Insecticides can negatively impact pollinator populations
Blueberry fields receiving pest control programs with higher pesticide toxicity have lower native bee abundance and richness
Kevan 1975. Biological Conservation 7: 301-309 Photo: Matthew Shepherd Kevan and Plowright 1989. Forest insect pests in Canada., pp . 607-618 Tuell and Isaacs 2010. Journal of Economic Entomology 103(3):668-675. Nancy Lee Adamson/Xerces Society
Managing Insecticides Managing Insecticides: Control Drift Control Drift and Over Application If you do use insecticides: • Calibrate equipment annually • Minimize their use • Select proper nozzle type • Use active ingredients with least • Use drift-reducing applicators impact on bees • Avoid temperature inversions and • Consider formulation windy conditions • Don’t spray on plants in bloom • Establish buffer strips • Spray at night and when dry • Follow label guidelines • Remember label guidelines only apply to honey bees, not wild bees • Communicate with nearby beekeepers
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/ catalog/pdf/pnw/pnw591.pdf Photos: USDA-ARS
Managing Insecticides: Control Drift Neonicotinoid Insecticides
Neonicotinoid Systemic Windbreak Establishment Insecticides: Pesticide screening example • Increasingly used on crops • Applied as sprays, soil For pesticide drift mitigation: treatments, trunk injections, • Small-needle evergreen or seed coatings species, not attractive to • Systemic mode of action pollinators (e.g. arborvitae, • Residues in pollen and cypress, juniper, spruce, etc.) nectar • Porosity is critical: 40% open • Can be persistent over time in plants and soil
Pines are NOT recommended—less dense growth habit and too open over time
Photo: Regina Hirsch Photos: USDA-NRCS, USDA-ARS
12 Neonicotinoid Insecticides Reducing Risk to Bees from Neonicotinoids
Neonicotinoid Toxicity to Bees Annual plants: • Large doses are toxic to bees • Use less toxic neonicotinoids: acetamiprid or thiacloprid • Small doses impact foraging and flight in honey bees • Avoid application before or during bloom • Bumble bee colonies exposed to very low doses produce fewer • Avoid treating plants with queens, which may impact continuous blooms populations • Treatment of non-blooming crops pose little threat to • Neonics are also detrimental to bees many other beneficial insects
Photo: Nancy Adamson Photo: Jennifer Hopwood
Reducing Risk to Bees from Neonicotinoids Neonicotinoids for Ornamental plants
• Also used on ornamental Perennial crops: plants, and lawns • Use less toxic neonicotinoids: acetamiprid or thiacloprid • Level of application is much greater than on crops (12x to • Avoid repeated use on bee- 60x), which increases the risk visited or pollinator- to pollinators dependent crops • Avoid trunk injections, which • Avoid use on pollinator-visited may result in residues that plants (e.g. maple trees, linden are more concentrated and trees, roses, sedum, etc) long-lasting, and thus more harmful to bees • Check with your nursery to make sure perennial plants you purchase have not been treated with neonicotinoids
Photo: Matthew Shepherd Photo: Jennifer Hopwood
Managing Insecticides: Organic Approved Managing Insecticides: Alternative Options
Safer Options: Organic-Approved Pesticides? •Bt • Pyrethrins = Dangerous for Bees! • Insect repellents (e.g. garlic or citrus oils) • Spinosad = Dangerous for Bees! • Kaolin clay barriers • Beauveria bassiana = Dangerous! (Surround) • Pheromone traps Okay when not directly applied to • Mating disruptors bees (i.e. non-blooming crops or at night): • Insecticidal soap • Horticultural oil • Neem
Photo: NRCS/Toby Alexander Photo: David Biddinger (Penn State University )
13 Managing Insecticides: Alternative Options Managing Pesticides: Conservation Biocontrol
Conservation Biological Control Alternatives to Pesticides: • Many of the same flowering • Floating row covers plants that support pollinators • Fruit bagging also support predatory and • Crop rotation and diversity parasitic insects. • Resistant varieties • Sanitation
Soldier beetle Syrphid fly drinking raspberry nectar
Parasitoid wasp
Ladybird beetle
Photo: Kaitlyn Rich Photos: Mace Vaughan, Paul Jepson, Mario Ambrosino
Managing Pesticides: Conservation Biocontrol Managing Pesticides: Conservation Biocontrol
Conservation Biological Control “The greatest single factor in preventing insects from overwhelming the rest of the world is the internecine warfare which they carry out among • Beneficial Insects themselves.” Robert Metcalf, entomologist • Natural Enemies (of pests) • Biological Control Agents
For latest local info, contact • Local Extension & NRCS offices • Visit http://www.eXtension.org • Find regional Integrated Pest Management (IPM) center
This manual will be available soon, as well as a new book from the tomato hornworm larvae parasitzed by Xerces Society & Storey a braconid wasp, Cotesia congregatus Publishers. Photo: VegEdge, UMN
Managing Insecticides: IPM Protect Nesting Habitats
Integrated Pest Management A lack of nest sites is a major constraint • Establish economic thresholds on bee populations in many areas. • Use multiple strategies to Protect what you already have. reduce pest pressure • Scout crops before spraying • Use the least toxic control option • NRCS 595: Pest Management
Photos: Jennifer Hopwood, Eric Mader Photo: Matthew Shepherd
14 Bee-Friendly Farming: Protect Ground Nests Bee-Friendly Farming: Protect Ground Nests
Protect Ground Nests: Example: No-Till Squash • Reduce Tillage No-till farms in Virginia • Avoid soil fumigants hosted three times more • Minimize plastic mulch native bees than did – Small areas = ok! conventional farms
Shuler, et al. 2005. Farming Practices Influence Wild Pollinator Populations on Squash and Pumpkin. Journal of Economic Entomology. 98(3):790-795 Photo: USDA-ARS Photos: Jim Cane
Bee-Friendly Farming: Protect Cavity Nests Bee-Friendly Farming: Protect Cavity Nests
Retain woody plants for • Provide small artificial nesting bees nests (bamboo, reeds, old pithy stems, holes • Protect snags wherever drilled in wood) possible • Maintain sanitation or • Leave woody shrubs or phase out nests to plants with pithy stems reduce pathogen, pest (e.g. boxelder, elderberry, loads cane berries, etc.)
Photos: Mace Vaughan; Eric Mader, Katharina Ullman, Lloyd Crim, Jennifer Hopw
Bee-Friendly Farming: Protect Cavity Nests Bee-Friendly Farming: Protect Bumble Bee Nests
• Provide small artificial Bumble bees build nests in: nests (bamboo, reeds, old pithy stems, holes • Cavities such as old rodent holes drilled in wood) • Overgrown areas • Maintain sanitation or • Under brush piles or piled field phase out nests to stones reduce pathogen, pest • Under bunch grasses loads • Artificial nests are ineffective?
Conserve un-mowed areas
Photos: Mace Vaughan; Eric Mader, Katharina Ullman, Lloyd Crim, Jennifer Hopw Photos: Mace Vaughan, Matthew Shepherd, Bonnie Carruthers
15 Bee-Friendly Farming: A Midwest Case Study
Case Study: Native Seed Producer Bee-Friendly Farming • Highly industrialized • 2000 Acres across two counties A Midwest Case Study • $25,000/year honey bee rentals • Goal: Reduce pollination costs and increase crop pollination
Photos: Eric Mader Photos: Eric Mader
Bee-Friendly Farming: A Midwest Case Study Bee-Friendly Farming: A Midwest Case Study
Step 1: Reduce Step 2: Reduce Tillage to Protect Pesticide Use Ground-Nesting Bees • Implemented IPM • Scouting of nest sites program • Selective herbicides • Established economic thresholds • Hooded sprayers • Weekly crop scouting • Flame-weeders • Wood chip mulch
Photos: Eric Mader Photos: USDA-ARS, Eric Mader
Bee-Friendly Farming: A Midwest Case Study Bee-Friendly Farming: A Midwest Case Study
Step 3: Conserve Bumble Bee Step 4: Provide Nests for Wood-Nesting Bees Nest Habitat • Native resident bee populations • Reduced mowing around farms • Managed alfalfa leafcutter bees (Megachile rotundata) (ditches and field borders) • Also attracted beneficial predatory wasps • Created buffer strips between fields
Photos: Matthew Shepherd, Eric Mader Photos: Eric Mader
16 Bee-Friendly Farming: A Midwest Case Study
Case Study Results • Honey bee rentals reduced by more than one-half Questions? • Improved pollination; increased yields • More targeted pesticide use • Greater biodiversity (birds, butterflies, amphibians)
Photos: Eric Mader Photo: Hannah Gaines
THE GOOD, THE BAD, Modifying Orchard Practices To Better & THE UGLY BUGS Accommodate Pollinators
D. Biddinger, E. Rajotte, N. Joshi, M. Frazier, & D. Mortensen - Penn State University Mace Vaughan – Xerces Society
B. Hollabaugh
DJB 2003 PREDATORS PARASITOIDS
17 DJB-20011
Honey Bee Decline in PA Apple Orchards 2006 – HB rentals $35/hive to $100+/hive 2011 A Survey of Apple Pollination Practices, •Recommended 1-2 HB hives/A Knowledge and Attitudes of PA Fruit Growers – most growers now no more than 1 hive to 5 acres n=100 out of 440 growers 3 2.75
B 2.5 2-4X 4-6X Decline Decline 2
1.5 1.28
AB 1 0.69 0.62 0.43 Mean # Bee Visits/2 min Visits/2 # Bee Mean Mostly small growers <50 acres 0.5 A A A 0 RAMP 2007 Standard RAMP 2008 Standard Standard Proportion of growers that rent honey bees for apple pollination. (6 orchards) 2007 (6) (6) 2008 (6) 1997-8 (9) DJB-2008 Fisher’s Protected LSD, P=0.05
Small Fields (< 10 acres) Bee habitat within a few hundred yards
18 What is your habitat for pollinators? 2007-2012 Orchard Bee Survey 4,000 species in North America ~ 450 in Pennsylvania ~180 in Pennsylvania orchards 60 visiting apple bloom in NY, 45 in PA
USDA-NIFA Northeast IPM •Cornell University •Penn State University Advantages of Native Bees •Xerces Society .Very efficient – hairy, whole body used for pollen collection
.Fly earlier, wetter, colder
.Buzz pollination – tomatoes, blueberries Squash Bee •Flower constancy
.No rental fees
.Insurance for honey bee shortages
Osmia rufa – Serbia, Spain, & Italy
Osmia cornifrons Eastern US, Japan, & Korea Osmia cornifrons - Japanese Honey Bee Hornfaced Bee • 80+ times more efficient at pollination of apples than HB. • 250 Osmia/acre vs. 25,000 honey bees. Osmia lignaria – Western US • A single Osmia can visit 15 flowers/min, setting 2,450 almonds apples/day compared to 50 flowers set by a honey bee. Osmia cornuta – & eastern US • Have been shown to double yields of cherries. England & N. Europe apple
19 Native bee conservation: Enhance habitat: nest sites Disadvantages of Native Bees
• Nest traps, .Fly shorter distances • Tunnel nest sites .Small colony size
.What species we have & how effective?
.Other parasites & natural enemies
•Commercially available only in limited numbers & difficult to move
.Populations of individuals species fluctuate yearly.
Two-minute timed count of bees at different distance points from habitat during bloom period in 6 apple orchards, 2011 R1 R2 n.s. R5 R6 n.s.
R9 R10
R13 R14
R19 A R20 A
R25 R26 BB Foraging Range B Five “Zones” 15, 35, 55, 100, 200 m 24 trees/zone, 120 trees per site, 6 sites = 720 trees
Native bee conservation: Enhance habitat: forage
X USDA-NRCS Pollinator Planting Program X
X X
X X
X X
X
Lerew Farm 100 acre 150+ acres with 22 growers
20 Tachinid Egg Gymnosoma sp.
Tachinid Parasitoids of Adult Stink Bugs Trichopoda sp. Gymnoclytia sp.
male
female Tachinid Egg
Trissolcus basalis Scelionidae
Stink Bug Egg Parasitoid
Bicyrtes quadrifasciata – Sand Wasp
Bicyrtes quadrifasciata – Sand Wasp
Crabronidae Astata unicolor
21 Neonicotinoid Toxicity To Honey Bees •44 page Xerces Society review of all studies on neonic impacts on bees. 104-124X 20 safer than Sevin •Most studies on honey bees, with a few on 18 Assail Bombus, and very few on solitary bees. 16 Calypso 14 17.32 •Separate studies based on crop and Provado/ 14.53 Actara method of application. 12 Clutch 10 •Seed treated field crops not pollinated by Sevin 80S
ug/bee 3-4X more bees 8 toxic than Sevin 6 •Horticultural foliar applications Dinotefuran (0.032) 4 0.004 •Ornamental and turf overdose applications 2 0.005 0.14 •How prophylactic applications negate IPM 0 principles. Oral LD50
DJB-2011
Honey Bee/Osmia Bioassays w/ Neonicitinoid Toxicity To Honey Bees Formulated Insecticides – Biddinger et al. 2011 Insecticide Species No. Tested LC50 LC Ratio 6-30X 45 safer than Sevin (ug/bee) (*P=0.05) 40 Assail Assail Honey Bee 245 64.6 Calypso 35 38.83 Osmia 242 5.2 - 12.3X* 30 Provado/ Imidan Honey Bee 250 1.9 Actara 25 Clutch Osmia 254 6.1 + 3.3X* 20 30-54X more Sevin 80S ug/bee Provado Honey Bee 310 0.15 toxic than Sevin 15 8.09 Dinotefuran Osmia 522 3.82 + 26.1X* 10 (0.061) Warrior Honey Bee 360 0.30 5 1.30 0.024 0.044 Osmia 466 0.91 + 3.0X* 0 Contact LD50 Dimethoate Honey Bee 450 0.31
DJB-2011 Osmia 156 0.09 - 3.7X*
USDA-RAMP Take Home Messages State Horticultural Association of PA USDA-SCRI • No silver bullet cure for CCD USDA-SCRI CAPS Rick Donovall – PDA – complex problem w/ Jim Gillis – PA NRCS multiple factors Amanda Ritz, Melanie Kammerer, • Look at wild bees as a Katie Ellis, Lot Miller, Jin Li, supplement to HB or Nelia Scott, Jason & Kara Fissel replacements in some cases
• Maintain fencerows and habitat adjacent to orchards for bees • Consider bees with • A diverse community of pesticide selection!! native bees can provide significant crop pollination © Mace Vaughan, Xerces Society
22 The Value of Natural Areas
The amount of natural habitat on or Module 4: Value of Habitat!! close to a farm has a direct influence Assessing Pollinator Habitat on pollinator diversity and abundance.
Photo: Jessa Guisse Photo: Mace Vaughan
Natural Areas: Small Farm Case Study Natural Areas: Adjacent Wildlands Case Study
Example: Farms in the Mid-Atlantic Example: Watermelon in California In 90% of farms studied in New Jersey and If more than 30% of the area within Pennsylvania, wild native bees provided all 1.2 km of a field is natural habitat, pollination needed for watermelon. growers can achieve full pollination of watermelons by native bees in the Central Valley.
Kremen, C. et al. 2004. The area requirements of an ecosystem service: crop pollination Winfree, R. et al.. 2008. Wild bee pollinators provide the majority of crop visitation across land-use gradients in Photo: Mace Vaughan by native bee communities in California. Ecology Letters 7:1109-1119. New Jersey and Pennsylvania, USA. Journal of Applied Ecology 45:793-802. Photo: Rachael Winfree
Natural Areas: Creating Habitat Natural Areas: Creating On-Farm Habitat
Example: Pollinator plantings in California Importance of natural areas Even in areas with little surrounding natural habitat, planting strips of natural vegetation increased pollinator populations and subsequent visitation of adjacent orchard crops (Klein et al, 2012)
The Challenge: bringing habitat into heavily managed landscapes…
23 Why Develop New Pollinator Habitat? Honey Bees: Natural Habitat Case Study
Bees Need Pollen and Nectar Before and After Crop Bloom Example: Honey Bee Health • Example: flight periods of native bees in relation to blueberry bloom. • Honey bees also need TAXA APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEP OCT habitat
Plaster Bees (Colletes inaequalis, validis) • Diverse wildflower diets Mining Bees (Andrena enhance honey bee spp.) disease resistance Green Sweat Bees (Augochlora pura) Green Sweat Bees (Augochlorella striata) Sweat Bees (Halictus spp.) Sweat Bees (Lasioglossum spp.) Mason Bees (Osmia spp.) Bumble Bees (Bombus spp.)
© Data from Steve Javorek, Agriculture Canada
Alaux C., Ducloz F., Crauser D., Le Conte Y. (2010) Photo: Eric Mader, Toby Alexander .
The Habitat Assessment Process Pollinator Habitat Assessment Guide
Assessing a Site or Landscape for Value to Pollinators Purpose: • Xerces’ Pollinator Habitat • Educate user (landowner and/or Assessment Form and Guide conservationist) • A subjective tool • Prioritize conservation actions • Quantify characteristics • Quantify habitat or management • Landscape-level improvements on a single farm • Site-level
Pollinator Habitat Assessment Guide Pollinator Habitat Assessment Guide Section 1: Landscape Features: Section 1: Landscape Features: Percent of Natural Habitat Around the Farm Dominant Type of Vegetation
24 Pollinator Habitat Assessment Guide Pollinator Habitat Assessment Guide
Section 2: Farmscape Features: Section 2: Farmscape Features: Amount of Habitat on the Farm Additional Farm Features
Pollinator Habitat Assessment Guide Pollinator Habitat Assessment Guide
Section 3: Foraging Habitat Section 3: Foraging Habitat Overall vegetative cover Spring, Summer, and Fall Blooming Plants
Pollinator Habitat Assessment Guide Pollinator Habitat Assessment Guide
Section 3: Foraging Habitat Section 4: Nesting Habitat Spring, Summer, and Fall Blooming Plants Ground-nesting bees
25 Pollinator Habitat Assessment Guide Pollinator Habitat Assessment Guide
Section 4: Nesting Habitat Section 5: Farm Practices Wood- and Cavity-nesting bees Pesticide use practices
Pollinator Habitat Assessment Guide Pollinator Habitat Assessment Guide
Section 5: Farm Practices Sum it all up… Land management
Why Develop New Pollinator Habitat? Module 5: Habitat Restoration Habitat restoration for sustained pollination • Diversify pollinators for agriculture • To strengthen habitat and pesticide protection for all bees (honey and native)
Photo: Larry K. Allain Photo: Bob Hammond, CSU Coop Ext
26 Why Develop New Pollinator Habitat? Bees Need Floral Diversity
The value of natural areas Floral Diversity: High floral diversity enhances The amount of natural habitat on or pollinator diversity and visits to flowers 1 close to the farm has a direct influence on pollinator diversity and abundance
1 Ebeling et al. 2008. How does plant richness affect pollinator richness and temporal stability of Photos: Paul Jepson, Bruce Newhouse flower visits? Oikos 117: 18081815. Photo: Eric Mader
Restoring Pollinator Habitat: Installation Guides Restoring Pollinator Habitat: Installation Guides
Xerces Habitat Installation Guide www.xerces.org Site specific considerations: • Conservation Cover (wildflower meadow) • Plant selection • Hedgerow Planting • Site Preparation • Guides for PA and other regions of the U.S. • Planting • Many other practices can include benefits to pollinators • Short-term management • Long-term maintenance
Restoring Pollinator Habitat: Plant Selection Restoring Pollinator Habitat: Best Plants for PA
maple false indigo goldenrod Important considerations for plant selection (Acer) (Baptisia) (Solidago) • Native, perennial species • Succession of bloom • Site appropriate • Documented quality nectar and pollen source
Pollinators need a succession of bloom: spring, summer, and fall
willow mountain mint blazing star aster (Salix) Pycnanthemum Liatris (various genera)
Photo: Nancy Adamson Photos: Elaine Haug NRCS, Matthew Shepherd; Mace Vaughan, Eric Mader, Jeff McMillan NRCS, Berry Botanic Garden, Nancy Adamson
27 Restoring Pollinator Habitat: Best Plants for PA Restoring Pollinator Habitat: Seed Mix
Native Wildflowers • Lupine • Beebalm • Lupine • Beebalm • Baptisia • Joe Pye Weed • Baptisia • Joe Pye Weed • Spiderwort • Mountain Mint • Spiderwort • Mountain Mint • Penstemon • Boneset • Penstemon • Boneset • Milkweed • Blazingstar • Milkweed • Blazingstar • Blue lobelia • Sneezeweed • Blue lobelia • Sneezeweed • Partridge Pea • Goldenrod • Partridge Pea • Goldenrod • Hyssop •Asters • Hyssop •Asters
Photos: Eric Mader Photos: Eric Mader
Restoring Pollinator Habitat: Wildflower Meadow Restoring Pollinator Habitat: Wildflower Meadow
Native wildflower meadow on cranberry farm Mixtures of native and non-native can be acceptable where cost is prohibitive
Photo: Jim Gillis (PA NRCS) Photo: Mace Vaughan
Restoring Pollinator Habitat: Best Plants for PA Restoring Pollinator Habitat: Hedgerow Planting
Woody plants • Pussy willow • Red maple • Chokeberry • Hawthorn • Blueberry • Basswood • Raspberry • Wild rose • New Jersey Tea
Cape May PMC, NJ Photo: Jolie Goldenetz Dollar Photo: Mace Vaughan
28 Restoring Pollinator Habitat: Hedgerow Planting Restoring Pollinator Habitat: Site Characteristics
A combination of native herbaceous Key site characteristics and woody species for pollinators • Weed pressure • Soil type, drainage • Pest Management • Placement
Former crop field
Snyder Farm, NJ Photo: Jolie Goldenetz Dollar
Restoring Pollinator Habitat: Site Characteristics Seeding New Habitat: Keys to Success
Key site characteristics Seeding new wildflower meadows • Weed pressure • Soil type, drainage • Remove weeds prior to planting • Pest Management • Placement Overgrown, unmanaged area • Do not disturb dormant weed seed
• Make a clean seed bed
• Use appropriate planting technology
• Plant seed during the dormant season (usually)
• Manage weeds
Photos: Joe Fahey and Don Keirstead
Site Prep: Remove Weeds Prior to Planting Site Prep: Remove Weeds Prior to Planting
Site preparation for conventional farms: Site preparation for organic farms: Smother crop (Buckwheat) Chemical fallow (glyphosate) for a full growing season • Treatment for at least 1 year
• (Tillage trials are ongoing but have demonstrated limited success)
Horticultural vinegar Solarization (20% acetic acid)
Photo: Nancy Adamson Photos: Joe Fahey Photo: Brianna Borders
29 Seeding: Create a Clean Seed Bed Seeding: Preparing the Seed Mix
Not ready for planting! Seed bed Preparation: Preparing to Seed: • Burn or rake off debris • Plant in the dormant season
• Light harrowing is ok – deep tillage • Bulk up the seed mix with an is not! inert carrier (e.g. sand) – for broadcasting • Do not to bring more dormant weed seeds to the surface!
Ready for planting!
Photos: Mace Vaughan Photos: Don Keirstead Photos: Brianna Borders
Seeding: Appropriate Technology Seeding: Appropriate Technology
Use the seeding technology that you have Hand Seeding/Broadcasters • Native Seed Drills • Seed bulked inert material for even distribution • Brillion Drop Seeder • Requires clean, exposed • Broadcast Seeder/Spreaders seed bed • Hand Seeding • Seed on soil surface – Do not bury the seed
Photo: Nancy Adamson Photo: Don Keirstead
Photo: Nancy Adamson Photo: Jessa Guisse Photo: Matthew Shepherd
Short Term Habitat Management Post Seeding: Ensuring Success Immediately After Seeding: • Roll seed into soil surface Post Seeding: Mow perennial seeded areas first and second year, before annual and biennial weeds produce seed The Year After Seeding: Mow when between 10–12” to 6–8” (as often as needed) to let light reach new seedlings w/o smothering • Weed treatments as needed • Grass-selective herbicides • Mow to prevent annual weeds from
re-seeding Photo: Don Sturm • Hand weeding!
Mow the wild radish to find… wildflower seedlings underneath!
Photos: Eric Mader Photos: Nancy Adamson
30 Landscape Plugs, Shrubs, and Trees Landscape Plugs, Shrubs, and Trees
Transplants: • Supplemental irrigation • Mulch / Fabric • Animal guards • Mechanical transplanters
Cape May PMC, NJ Photo: Jolie Goldenetz Dollar Photos: Mace Vaughan
Landscape Plugs, Shrubs, and Trees Habitat Restoration: Shrubs and Wildflowers
A combination of native herbaceous and woody species for pollinators
Snyder Farm, NJ Photo: Jolie Goldenetz Dollar Snyder Farm, NJ Photo: Jolie Goldenetz Dollar
Managing Habitat: Considerations Managing Habitat: Tree Encroachment
Long Term Habitat Management At sites where trees or shrubs are encroaching, • Tree encroachment they should be removed as soon as possible, • Herbicides before they grow larger and reproduce. • Mowing, Fire, and Grazing
Photo: Whitney Cranshaw (Colorado State University) Photo: Toby Alexander
31 Managing Habitat: Herbicides Managing Habitat: Limit Disturbance
When applied with care, herbicides can Mowing, grazing, burning, disking are best be a useful habitat management tool. at infrequent intervals •Disturbance to no more than 1/3 of habitat However, they can also dramatically area each year change plant communities and decrease the usability of habitat for pollinators. •Time management for when most effective against target, or during dormant season Focus on spot treatment •Early successional habitat is ideal; too much disturbance favors grasses over forbs
Photo: USDA-NRCS Photos: USDA-ARS, Audubon California
Developing New Nest Habitat: Ground Nests Developing New Nest Habitat: Ground Nests
A lack of nest sites is a constraint Ground-Nesting Bees Need: on bee populations in many areas. • Access to bare, sandy soil
• Areas without tillage • Mulch or landscape fabric?
Photo: David Walsh, WSU
Nests of alkali bee, Nomia melanderi, in western Colorado Photo: Bob Hammond, CO Coop Ext Photos: Matthew Shepherd
Developing New Nest Habitat: Bumble Bees Recognize Habitat: Wood-Nesting Bees
Bumble Bees Build Nests In: Wood-Nesting Bees Use: • Snags, stumps, and brush piles • Cavities such as old rodent holes • Hollow or pithy plant stems • Overgrown areas (e.g. box elder, elderberry, cane • Under brush piles fruit) • Under bunch grasses • Artificial nests? • Artificial nests are ineffective
Conserve un-mowed areas
Photos: Mace Vaughan, Matthew Shepherd, Bonnie Carruthers Photos: Eric Mader, Katharina Ullman
32 The Finished Product! Case Study: Native Plant Field Border
New Hampshire Blueberry Farm Native Plant Field Border New Hampshire Apple Orchard
Pre-Planting: 2009 Post-Planting: 2011
Photos: Don Keirstead Photos: Don Keirstead
Case Study: Jimmy Carter NRCS PMC Key Lessons for Success
Americus, GA: Pollinator field trials Key Lessons
• Site preparation and weed abatement are critical
• Do not cultivate (in most cases!)
• Recommend seeding rate of 40-to- 60 seeds/sqft
• Plant in the dormant season (late Fall is ideal)
• Plant wildflower seed directly on the soil surface
• Plan to manage weeds after planting (mostly in the first 2 years) May 2012
Photos: Don Keirstead, NH NRCS
Xerces Society Resources Questions? Comments?
Pollinator Conservation Resource Center Region-specific Information from Xerces, Cooperative Extension, USDA-NRCS, NGO, and other sources, including:
• Regional plant Lists • National plant lists • Conservation Guides • Nest construction guides • Links to identification guides • Pesticide Guidelines • Native Plant Nursery Directory
www.xerces.org/pollinator- resource-center large carpenter bee on narrow-leaved mountain mint, Pycnanthemum tenuifolium Ph t N Ad
33 2008 Farm Bill: Pollinator Habitat Provisions
Module 6: USDA Conservation Programs 2008 Farm Bill and Cost Analysis of Pollinator Habitat • Makes pollinators a priority for every USDA land manager and conservationist • Identifies pollinator habitat as a priority for EQIP • Requires that pollinators are considered in the review of Practice Standards • Encourages the inclusion of pollinators in all USDA conservation programs
Photo: Katharina Ulllmann Photo: USDA-ARS
Farm Bill Implementation: Practices for Pollinators NRCS Conservation Practices
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Cover Practice Standard (327): Establish permanent Conservation Service vegetation (adjacent to agricultural fields or beneath perennial crops) (NRCS)
Technical and Financial Assistance Programs: • Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) • Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) • Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) Practices for Pollinators • Conservation Cover • Field Border • Hedgerow Planting • Upland Wildlife Habitat Management • Tree/Shrub Establishment • Cover Cropping • Pest Management Photos: Eric Mader and Don Kiersted
NRCS Conservation Practices NRCS Conservation Practices
Field Border Practice Standard (386): Can include a diverse Hedgerows Practice Standard (422): Plant a succession of mix of native and low cost non-native plants flowering shrubs (can be designed for multiple benefits, e.g. screening)
USDA-NRCS Photo: Rachel Long (UC Davis, Coop Ext.)
34 NRCS Conservation Practices NRCS Conservation Practices
Filter Strip Practice Standard (393): Use pollinator plants to control run-off and reduce erosion along streams and ditches. Cover Crop Practice Standard (340): Can include diverse flowering forbs such as clover, mustard, buckwheat, phacelia, or partridge pea.
Photo: Katharina Ullman (UC Davis) Photo: Eric Mader
NRCS Conservation Practices NRCS Conservation Practices
Cover Crop Practice Standard (340) Critical Area Planting (342): Establishes permanent vegetation on highly erodible sites
Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum)
Lacy Phacelia Partridge Pea (Phacelia tanacetifolia) (Chamaecrista fasciculata)
Photos: Dan Tenaglia, Dave Powell, Grinnell Heritage Farm Photo: Eric Mader (Xerces Society)
NRCS Conservation Practices NRCS Conservation Practice
Herbaceous Weed Control (315) Integrated Pest Management Oregon Example Practice Standard (595): • Protecting pollinators from pesticides • Establishing habitat for other beneficial insects
Before: Non-native grasses After: Replanted killed along fenceline with native forbs
Photos: David Biddinger (Penn State University), Photos: Brianna Borders Mace Vaughan (Xerces Society), and Elise Fog
35 NRCS Conservation Planning Example NRCS Conservation Planning Example Diversified Organic NRCS Practices Farm Pollinator Hedgerow Field Border • 24 Acres Diverse native forb plantings • Fruits and vegetables Hedgerow • Conventional farm Diverse flowering native neighbors shrubs • Potential resources concerns Cover Crop Cover Crop • Pollinators Phacelia tanacetifolia, • Pest management crimson clover, buckwheat • Avoiding drift Conservation • Weed control in fallow Conservation Cover Cover ground Mixture of low cost native and non-native forbs Field Border
Farm Bill Implementation: CRP
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Administered by the USDA Farm Service Questions? Agency with technical assistance from NRCS
Pollinator Initiative (CP 42) • 10% of acreage in parcels of pollinator- friendly shrubs, forbs, legumes, or • At least 1 acre for CRP acreage less than 10 acres • Pollinator parcels must be at least 20 feet wide • Parcels must have a minimum of 9 species with at least 3 blooming species for each growing season • Should be primarily natives • No more than 25% grasses in pollinator parcels
Photo: Mace Vaughan Photo: Eric Mader
Additional Resources: The USDA-NRCS
Module 7: Additional Resources The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service • Technical Assistance • Financial Support for Conservation Find out more at: www.nrcs.usda.gov
Edward S. Ross Photo: USDA-NRCS, USDA-ARS
36 Penn State Center for Pollinator Research Further Information: the Xerces Society
• Xerces Society publications • www.xerces.org
Further Information: Publications Further Information: USDA-SARE
You will be taking this book home with you. Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension New Managing Alternative “Attracting Native Pollinators belongs Pollinators Handbook on the bookshelf of everyone who values the future of the natural world.” • Bumble bee, mason bee, and leafcutter bee - Douglas W. Tallamy, researcher and author of Bringing Nature Home management methods • Native bee conservation • Now available! “Precise, elegant and thoughtful, the recommendations offered by the Xerces Society will become essential www.sare.org or to advancing a healthy and diverse www.xerces.org/store food production system.”
- Gary Nabhan, author of The Forgotten Pollinators and Renewing America’s Food Traditions www.xerces.org/store
Further Information: Xerces Report Further Information: The Xerces Society
Neonicotinoid Report • Outlines threats to honey bees, bumble bees, and solitary bees • Provides recommendations to land owners/managers on how to better protect bees • Provides recommendations to regulators and researchers Xerces Habitat on how to assess the bee Installation Guides safety of systemic products Wildflower meadow and hedgerow installation guidelines for multiple regions of the U.S. www.xerces.org
http://www.xerces.org/pesticides
37 Conserving Bumble Bees Bumble Bee Citizen Monitoring Project
Please participate in the Xerces Society Conservation Guidelines for Bumble Bee Watch Citizen monitoring Landowners and Managers project!
• Outlines threats 1. Take a pocket identification guide for the • Habitat Fragmentation species that occurs in the region where you live • Pesticides •Grazing 2. Look for bumble bees in the spring, • Pests and Diseases summer and fall • Provides clear management recommendations to create high 3. If you spot a target species, email a photo to [email protected] quality bumble bee habitat • Gives regionally specific plant For more information, visit: recommendations for bumble www.xerces.org/bumblebees bees • Contains regional bumble bee ID guides
Further Information: Resource Center Looking Ahead: Ecological Pest Management
Pollinator Conservation Resource Center Region-specific Information from Xerces, Cooperative Extension, USDA-NRCS, NGO, and other sources, including:
• Regional plant Lists • Conservation Guides • Nest construction guides • Links to identification guides • Pesticide Guidelines New USDA-NRCS • Native Plant Nursery Directory Technical Guide
www.xerces.org/pollinator- • Managing Habitat for resource-center Predators of Crop Pests • Available soon
Looking Ahead Ecological Pest Management Native Plant Database
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Recommended Species: New book on http://wildflower.org/collections/ Ecological Pest Special Collections Management coming • Butterflies and Moths soon! Value to Beneficial Insects • Special Value to Native Bees • Special Value to Bumble Bees Storey Publishing • Special Value to Honey Bees • Provide Nesting Materials/Structure July 2014 for Native Bees Click on those, then narrow to state, habit/form, light & soil conditions, etc.
38 Project Integrated Crop Pollination
Project ICP is evaluating the performance and economics of multiple pollination strategies in fruit and vegetable crops across the U.S.
Learn more at www.icpbees.org
Bring Back the Pollinators Pledge Take Home Message: What’s old is what’s new?
To bring back the pollinators, I will: • Grow a variety of pollinator- friendly flowers which bloom from spring through fall. • Protect and provide bee nests and caterpillar host plants. • Avoid using pesticides, especially insecticides. • Talk to my neighbors about the importance of pollinators and their habitat!
Habitat signs available: $25-30
What’s Old is What’s New? What’s Old is What’s New?
In 1938, Dr. Patch predicted that by the year 2000 …the President of the United States would issue a proclamation claiming that land areas at regular intervals throughout the U.S. would be maintained as “Insect Gardens,” under the direction of government entomologists. These would be planted with milkweed, hawthorn, and other plants that could sustain populations of butterflies and bees. She predicted that some time in the future, “Entomologists will be as much or more concerned with the conservation and preservation of Dr. Edith Patch (1916) beneficial insect life as they are now President, Entomological with the destruction of injurious Society of America insects.”
Photo:The Friends of Edith Patch (www.edithpatch.org)
39 Take Home Message Thank You!!
Special thanks to: Plant flowers…as Dave Biddinger and Christina Grozinger (Penn State University), native as possible. USDA NIFA, and the USDA NRCS
Our financial support comes from: Conserve nest sites. • Xerces Society members • USDA-NIFA SCRI grant • USDA-NRCS • CS Fund Reduce pesticide • Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund use. • Endangered Species Chocolate • Turner Foundation • Whole Foods Market and its vendors
Contact information: Mace Vaughan, [email protected] www.xerces.org Photo: Mace Vaughan
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