WILD BEE POLLINATOR DIVERSITY AND ABUNDANCE IN ORCHARD AND UNCULTIVATED HABITATS IN THE OKANAGAN VALLEY, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Abstract

Wild bee pollinators were collected in tree-fruit orchards and uncultivated habitats in the Okanagan Valley. Higher abundance and diversity of wild bee pollinators were found at uncultivated sites than on tree-fruit crops. Wild bees were not abundant enough in orchard habitats to provide adequate tree-fruit pollination. Variable flower visitation patterns by polylectic bees in orchard and uncultivated habitats make it difficult to predict floral visitation patterns. Therefore, orchardists cannot rely on a substantial and predictable contribution to pollination of fruit crops by wild bee species. Research into the use of wild bees as managed pollinators for tree-fruit crops in the Okanagan Valley may have potential. Future studies should consider three wild bee species collected in Okanagan Valley orchards, Bombus terricola occidentalis Greene, Bombus bifarius nearcticus Handlirsch, and Osmia lignaria propinqua Cresson, for pollination management.