Great things come from small beginnings, even from the little
foraging insects that help pollinate 75 percent of the world's major
food crops. Commonly referred to as pollinators, bees, wasp, flies,
butterflies, moths, beetles, hummingbirds and bats play a crucial role
in transferring pollens between flowers to set fruit and seed
development.
Without the help of these hardworking critters, many
animal species could end up in starvation and there wouldn't be any
apples, cherries, pumpkins, squash and other fruits and vegetables to
eat. Every year, nearly $15 billion worth of food crops in the United
States is dependent on these pollinators.
When people think about bees, they commonly refer to one species, the honeybee (Apis mellifera), a European species domesticated for pollination in the United States. But there are about 400 native species of bees in Wisconsin, including various species of mason bees, leaf cutter bees, miner bees, sweat bees, bumblebees and several others.
Like honeybees, these native bees are equally important for crop pollination and support other beneficial insects and wildlife in the ecosystem.
Some native species are much more effective than honeybees in pollination. Just 250 blue orchard mason bees (Osmia lignaria) can pollinate an acre of apple trees as compared to 20,000 honeybees. However, an increase in urbanization has destroyed many natural habitats of the wild native bees and has resulted in population decline. These native bees need to be preserved to sustain future ecological process.
The majorities of our native species are solitary bees and are less aggressive in nature. They live in an individual underground nest, in cracks or crevices in walls, or in wood.
Typically, an adult female solitary bee lays up to 20 to 30 eggs in her life span of three to six weeks. She builds an individual cell for each egg and gathers sufficient food (pollen and nectar) for the eggs in the nest. After the eggs are laid, she leaves the nest, never to return.
Social bees like honeybees and bumblebees live in large colonies with one queen, numerous workers and a few males. They pose a stinging hazard if they sense any danger to their nest.
Gardeners and homeowners can help protect and promote the habitats of our native bees in their landscape by using the following practices.
Common native plants for attracting pollinators are downy serviceberry, American basswood, pussy willow, wild lupine, common spiderwort, anise hyssop, wild indigo, purple coneflower, wild bergamot, prairie spiderwort, culver's root, butterfly milkweed, spotted joe-pye weed, woodland sunflower, prairie sunflower, prairie blazing star, great blue lobelia, spotted bee balm, rough blazing star, stiff goldenrod, smooth blue aster and New England aster.
In addition, fruit trees like plums, cherries, serviceberry, blueberries and apples provide good sources of pollen and nectar.
Rock walls, wooden stumps, and leaf debris also attract the native bees. You can construct or purchase artificial bee nesting structures, but make sure to replace or disinfect those artificial structures every two years to prevent disease occurrence. For more information, visit www.xerces.org/.
Some of the organic pesticides also are harmful to bees, and it is very important to read the pesticide label before applying the products.
Integrate a wide range of cultural and mechanical practices in controlling pests in the garden. If necessity arises, use the right pesticide at the appropriate rate listed on the product label. Preferably apply the product when the plants are in non-flowering stage or during late evening hours when the bees are less active in foraging.
Without the help of these hardworking critters, many
animal species could end up in starvation and there wouldn't be any
apples, cherries, pumpkins, squash and other fruits and vegetables to
eat. Every year, nearly $15 billion worth of food crops in the United
States is dependent on these pollinators.When people think about bees, they commonly refer to one species, the honeybee (Apis mellifera), a European species domesticated for pollination in the United States. But there are about 400 native species of bees in Wisconsin, including various species of mason bees, leaf cutter bees, miner bees, sweat bees, bumblebees and several others.
Like honeybees, these native bees are equally important for crop pollination and support other beneficial insects and wildlife in the ecosystem.
Some native species are much more effective than honeybees in pollination. Just 250 blue orchard mason bees (Osmia lignaria) can pollinate an acre of apple trees as compared to 20,000 honeybees. However, an increase in urbanization has destroyed many natural habitats of the wild native bees and has resulted in population decline. These native bees need to be preserved to sustain future ecological process.
The majorities of our native species are solitary bees and are less aggressive in nature. They live in an individual underground nest, in cracks or crevices in walls, or in wood.
Typically, an adult female solitary bee lays up to 20 to 30 eggs in her life span of three to six weeks. She builds an individual cell for each egg and gathers sufficient food (pollen and nectar) for the eggs in the nest. After the eggs are laid, she leaves the nest, never to return.
Social bees like honeybees and bumblebees live in large colonies with one queen, numerous workers and a few males. They pose a stinging hazard if they sense any danger to their nest.
Gardeners and homeowners can help protect and promote the habitats of our native bees in their landscape by using the following practices.
Diversify your garden
Rather than a monotonous grass lawn and few tree species, cultivate a wide varieties of flowering native plants that bloom in different seasons. Studies show that native plants are four times more attractive to pollinators.Common native plants for attracting pollinators are downy serviceberry, American basswood, pussy willow, wild lupine, common spiderwort, anise hyssop, wild indigo, purple coneflower, wild bergamot, prairie spiderwort, culver's root, butterfly milkweed, spotted joe-pye weed, woodland sunflower, prairie sunflower, prairie blazing star, great blue lobelia, spotted bee balm, rough blazing star, stiff goldenrod, smooth blue aster and New England aster.
In addition, fruit trees like plums, cherries, serviceberry, blueberries and apples provide good sources of pollen and nectar.
Help nesting habitat
Some solitary bees build their nest in an open sandy area (preferably dry site). Leaving few patches of bare ground in an isolated part of the landscape can provide nesting habitat for those bees.Rock walls, wooden stumps, and leaf debris also attract the native bees. You can construct or purchase artificial bee nesting structures, but make sure to replace or disinfect those artificial structures every two years to prevent disease occurrence. For more information, visit www.xerces.org/.
Limit use of pesticides
Bees are highly sensitive to any contact pesticides and their residues. In general, pesticides should be used as the last resort for controlling any pest.Some of the organic pesticides also are harmful to bees, and it is very important to read the pesticide label before applying the products.
Integrate a wide range of cultural and mechanical practices in controlling pests in the garden. If necessity arises, use the right pesticide at the appropriate rate listed on the product label. Preferably apply the product when the plants are in non-flowering stage or during late evening hours when the bees are less active in foraging.
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