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Nesting site density and distribution affect O smia lignaria ( H ymenoptera: M egachilidae) reproductive success and almond yield in a commercial orchard
Author(s) -
Artz Derek R.,
Allan Matthew J.,
Wardell Gordon I.,
PittsSinger Theresa L.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
insect conservation and diversity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.061
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 1752-4598
pISSN - 1752-458X
DOI - 10.1111/icad.12026
Subject(s) - nest (protein structural motif) , orchard , nest box , megachilidae , biology , reproductive success , pollination , pollinator , ecology , predation , pollen , population , biochemistry , demography , sociology
The potential of commercially managed, native blue orchard bees, O smia lignaria , to augment honey bees in orchard pollination depends on various factors, particularly how to enhance O . lignaria retention while optimising even pollination throughout orchards by varying their stocking density and nesting site distribution. In 2011, we investigated how artificial nest box density and the number of cavities within nest boxes influenced O . lignaria retention and reproduction in a 61 ha almond orchard pollinated by a mixture of O . lignaria and Apis mellifera in the southern C entral V alley of C alifornia. We assessed how localised O . lignaria nesting affected total nut yield. Retention of O . lignaria females was significantly greater in orchard areas with high density nest boxes compared with areas with low density nest boxes. Females preferred to nest in high density (low cavity) nest boxes compared to low density (high cavity) nest boxes. All measures of O . lignaria reproductive success were greater in orchard areas with high density nest boxes than areas with low density nest boxes. Localised O . lignaria foraging and nesting activity influenced nut yield by producing more nuts in orchard areas with high density nest boxes compared with low density nest boxes, although differences in nut yield just failed to meet statistical significance. Results of this study show that the density and distribution of nest boxes for nesting O . lignaria females can strongly influence the reproductive success of an alternative, managed bee pollinator in a large production orchard.