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THECOMMERCIAL GREENHOUSEGROWER • APRIL 2018
POLLINATION •
Tel.+441440704488
This isnot justa
bumblebee
This isNatupol®Excel
Bestvalue formoney:
• Improvedpollinationusingbee
vision technology
• Highqualitybumblebees
• Bestavailability in themarket
• UKnativeBombus terrestrisaudax
flower in a very fast and efficient way,
allowing thebee to visitmore flowers in a
shorter period.”
Temperature and humidity are the
twobiggest influences onpollination
success ingreenhouses stressesNeil
Ward, “Particularly hot environments
reduce colony efficiency as thebees
spend a lot of time in the hive using their
wings to fan thebrood inorder to cool
it. Toprevent this, Biobest hives have a
fold-out ventilation extension in the lid
that we recommendgrowers open at
temperatures above 26oC. Similarly,
low temperatures have adetrimental
effect on the hive, although not
indirectly as bumblebeeswill still forage at temperatures
below 10oC (compared to honeybees, which need
10-15oC). Low temperatures tend tobringwith them
condensation, especially inplastic tunnels, and this can
negatively affect the healthof the colony, especially if
water drips directly on the hive.
“Poor climate also reduces pollenquality,meaning
thebees are unable toprovide optimal nutrition for the
developingbee larvae in the colony. Extreme humidity
can also causepollengrains in tomato flowers tobecome
sticky,making themdifficult for thebees todislodgewhen
they use their characteristicbuzz pollination to collect the
pollen.”
“Beeswill work continuously,” points out CarolineReid.
“However, they are live insects and as such are restricted
by temperature anddaylight. Also, they are not effective
under artificial light without special attention.”
As live insects, it is also important to carewith crop
protection. “Obviously pesticide choice is very important
whenusingbees, andgrowers should always consult
adatabase of possible side effects inorder to findout
The effect of temperature onbumblebee activity. [Koppert Biological Systems].
