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Description
Native bees are particularly important pollinators of lowbush blueberry. Changes in certain cultural practices since the 1930s, however, have caused substantial reductions in the native bee populations. Recent observations, however, have shown that adjustments in these practices can have a beneficial effect on native bees with accompanying increases in their numbers. Collections of native Apoidea were made in various areas of Maine and eastern Canada from 1961 through 1965 to determine the species present and their relative abundance in blueberry fields. Of the 89 species collected, 59 were taken on lowbush blueberry blossoms, and 10 in close association with lowbush blueberry. Species in the families Halictidae and Andrenidae were by far the most numerous (32 and 23 species), followed in decreasing occurrence by species in the families Bombidae, Anthophoridae, Colletidae, and Xylocopidae.
Document Type
Article
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Rights assessment remains the responsibility of the researcher. No known restrictions on publication.
Volume
26
Publication Date
2-1-1967
Publisher
Maine Agricultural Experiment Station
City
Orono
Keywords
native bees, blueberries
Disciplines
Entomology
Recommended Citation
Boulanger, L.W., G.W. Wood, E.A. Osgood, and C.O. Dirks. 1967. Native bees associated with the low-bush blueberr in Maine and eastern Canada. Maine Agricultural Experiment Station Technical Bulletin 26.
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