Pollinators

Bees and other pollinators play a key role in life on our planet. They ensure food and nutritional security and maintain biodiversity and vibrant ecosystems for plants, humans, and themselves. Penn State Extension has extensive educational resources and news on the pollinators in the ag industry, their threats, and how to attract them. Learn about beekeeping and take our Beekeeping 101 online course.

The Importance of Pollinators

Pollination can occur in several ways. When it happens within the same flower, it is self-pollination. When the transfer of pollen occurs between different flowers, it’s known as cross-pollination. Pollination can also occur with the help of the wind. But when the pollen is heavy and sticky, it needs the help of various animals, of which insects are the most important movers of pollen.

Honey bees and other native pollinators play a vital role in the pollination of crops. There are at least 437 species of bees in Pennsylvania that contribute to the pollination of not just crops but natural areas and gardens too. However, domestic honey bee numbers have declined by 59% compared to a few decades ago.

In Pennsylvania, it is wild bees who are responsible for providing the majority of pollination for some summer vegetable crops. Wild bees include native and naturalized bees, all of which pollinate a wide variety of food and fiber crops, fruit orchards, and certain types of nuts.

Identifying and Attracting Pollinators

Approximately three-quarters of our major food crops are pollinated, but how much do you know about this process? We all know about honey bees, but what about all the other pollinators? To help you identify them and learn about their biology, there are plenty of resources available at Penn State Extension. Gain an understanding of the habitat and landscape they prefer, how to keep them thriving, and help increase their numbers.

Here are some examples of the pollinators you can expect to find in Pennsylvania:

• Mason bee: This is a solitary bee that is important for agricultural producers and backyard gardeners alike. Along with several other bee species, they emerge around springtime.
• Wild bees: Honey bees and mason bees are not the only important pollinators for orchards. Wild bees also have a significant contribution to make.
• Carpenter bees: You often find these bees flying around under the eaves of houses. They excavate tunnels in wood for shelter and to make chambers where they can rear their young and have been known to cause significant structural damage.
• Bumble bees: These are great pollinators thanks to their fuzzy appearance.

We’ve lost 75% of our insects, and that includes our native pollinators. However, it is possible to support them, for example, by creating a pollinator garden. Understand which flowers bees prefer when they collect nectar for pollination, and you can plant them in your garden and bring the pollinators into your yard. It’s also crucial you learn about cleaning up your garden in the fall, as many pollinators will be overwintering in your garden.

Bees and Beekeeping

Honey bees are commonly kept in artificial hives across the United States. A large and sophisticated beekeeping industry provides valuable honey, beeswax, and pollination services. Take advantage of Penn State Extension’s resources if you want to learn the basics of beekeeping and more. The Beekeeping 101 online course covers bee biology and behavior, hive management, equipment, bee products, and more.

Careful honey bee colony management is key if you want the hive population to survive all year round. There are common honey bee maladies, and you need to be able to recognize their symptoms. Environmental stressors can also impact bee health throughout their life cycle.

A fundamental part of apiary management is working with queens, understanding their biology, and rearing them to increase your hives’ productivity. It’s possible to start a new colony or renovate an existing one by installing packaged bees. Order them in early winter, ready for the package to arrive in spring.

Pollinators and Pesticides

Pollinators can be exposed to pesticides in various ways, including direct contact with the residue on plants, ingesting contaminated pollen and nectar, or exposure to contaminated nesting sites or materials.

Researchers believe the decline in honey bee populations is due in part to their exposure to multiple pesticides. There are, however, things producers can do to help maintain a delicate balance between protecting crops from pests and pathogens and protecting pollinators.

Spraying at night is one option when you use pesticide sprays during bloom in fruit plantings. The Center for Pollinator Research at Penn State University has also revealed that the greenhouse industry has several important roles to play in the broader efforts of protecting pollinators.

In this section, find numerous resources and practical advice for beekeeping, bee biology and habitats, identifying and attracting pollinators, safe pesticide usage, and pollination services.