Bumble Bee: An Efficient Native Pollinator
Archie Dogra
Dept. of Entomology, Dr. YSPUHF, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh (173 230), India
Priyanka Rani*
Dept. of Entomology, Dr. YSPUHF, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh (173 230), India
DOI: NIL
Keywords: Bumble bees, High altitude, Pollinator, Protected cultivation
Abstract
Bumble bees are the important pollinators of domesticated and wild crops, are the primary biotic pollinating agents for crops in greenhouses. Bumble bees are especially effective at pollinating plants in the nightshade family (Solanaceae) which includes peppers, tomatoes and eggplant. While these plants are self fertile, they benefit from bumble bee visits which help release pollen from the flower. In addition many berry (blueberry, cranberry, currents, raspberries), fruit (apricot, apples, melons and squashes) and seed crops (alfalfa, clover, onions) are visited by bumble bees. Bumble bees also provide vivid color and sound to a garden and watching the bees that you raise forage in your garden brings a sense of pride. Bumble bees are advantageous over the honey bees in polyhouses due to their long working hours, long tongue length, effectiveness in lower numbers and their capacity to forage vigorously at low temperature and low light intensities.
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Reference
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