Solitary bees — pollinators of seed alfalfa in the north-east of Ukraine: current state and use in pollination

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36016/KhESG-2023-31-1-4

Keywords:

species richness, phenology, pollination rate, seed yield

Abstract

The data on the species composition of seed alfalfa pollinators, their trophic links, seasonal dynamics, and influence on alfalfa seed productivity were generalized. Among 47 solitary bee species of 15 genera and 6 families, 8 species comprised 87.9% of all bees visiting alfalfa flowers. These species have the highest abundance from the second half of June to the third decade of July, which coincides with the yellow alfalfa flowering after moving at the beginning of the budding stage. The average degree of pollination of alfalfa flowers was 25.4%, which delivers an average of 7.6 centner/ha of actual seed yield in commercial crops. 1 fig., 3 tabs, 57 refs.

References

Aizen, M. A, Harder L. D. 2009. The global stock of domesticated honey bees is growing slower than agricultural demand for pollination. Current Biology, 19(11), 915–918. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2009.03.071.

Bänsch, S., Tscharntke, T., Gabriel, D., Westphal, C. 2021. Crop pollination services: Complementary resource use by social vs solitary bees facing crops with contrasting flower supply. Journal of Applied Ecology, 58(3), 476–485. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13777.

Bohart, G. E. 1952. Pollination by native insects. In: United States Department of Agrculture. Insects: Yearbook of Agriculture. U. S. G. P. O., Washington, D. C., 107–121. URL: https://archive.org/details/insectsyearbooko00unit/page/106/mode/2up.

Bohart, G. E., Knowlton, G. F. 1967. Managing the alfalfa leaf-cutting bee for higher alfalfa seed yields. Utah State University Extension Service Leaflet, 104. 1–8. URL: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/piru_pubs/89.

Bohart, G. E., Nye, W. P. 1976. Insect pollinators of alfalfa grown for seed. In: Davis, D. V., ed. Insects and nematodes associated with alfalfa in Utah. Utah Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin, 494, 33–45. URL: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/piru_pubs/288.

Burmistrov, F. N. 1982. Research on bee pollination in USSR [Научные исследования по пчелоопылению в СССР]. Bee pollination of entomophilous cultures and honey base of beekeeping [Пчелоопыление энтомофильных культур и медоносная база пчеловодства]. Apimondia, Bucharest, 60–63. [in Russian].

Calderone, N. W. 2012. Insect pollinated crops, insect pollinators and US agriculture: Trend analysis of aggregate data for the period 1992–2009. PLoS One, 7(5), e37235. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0037235.

Chen, M., Zhao, X. Y., Zuo, X. A. 2018. Pollinator activity and pollination success of Medicago sativa L. in a natural and a managed population. Ecology and Evolution, 8(17), 9007–9016. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.4256.

Christman, K., Shaw, R., Hodsdon, L. 2022. The Bee Brick: Building habitat for solitary bees. International Journal of Sustainable Design, 4(3–4), 285–304. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJSDES.2022.128532.

Danforth, B., Minckley, R., Neff, J., Fawcett, F. 2019. The Solitary Bees: Biology, Evolution, Conservation. Princeton University Press, Princeton, 1–488. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/9780691189321.

Dobrynin, N. D. 1984. Propagation of Megachile rotundata F. for pollination of alfalfa in the Central-Chernozem zone [Разведение пчёл-листорезов Megachile rotundata F. для опыления люцерны в Центральном Черноземье]. 9th Congress of the All-Union Entomological Society (Kiev, October 1984): abstracts [9-й съезд Всесоюзного энтомологического общества (Киев, октябрь 1984 г.): тезисы докладов. Naukova dumka, Kiev, 1, 144. [in Russian].

Duchenne, F, Thébault, E, Michez, D. M., Elias, M, Drake, M, Persson, M, Rousseau-Piot, J. S., Pollet, M, Vanormelingen, P, Fontain, C. 2020. Phenological shifts alter the seasonal structure of pollinator assemblages in Europe. Nature Ecology and Evolution. 4(1), 115–121. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-019-1062-4.

Filatov, М. О. 1997. Solitary bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) of the agricultural landscape of northeastern Ukraine: fauna, ecology and practical importance [Поодинокі бджолині (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) агроландшафту північного сходу України: фауна, екологія та практичне значення]. The dissertation thesis for the scientific degree of the candidate of biological sciences. Kharkiv State Pedagogical University, Kharkiv, 1–20. [in Ukrainian].

Ganagin, A. V. 1988. Some aspects of use of Megachile rotundata F. in Kirghizia [Некоторые аспекты технологии использования пчелы-листореза (Megachile rotundata F.) в Киргизии]. Entomological Researches in Kirghizia [Энтомологические исследования в Киргизии], Ilim, Frunze, 19, 103–109. [in Russian].

Gramma, V. N., Zagovora, A. V., Beletskiy, E. N., Kirilenko, V. A., Bartenev, A. F., Gritsay, V. P. 1976. Methodical Recommendations for Increase in Abundance of Wild Bee Pollinators of Alfalfa [Методические рекомендации по увеличению численности диких пчёл-опылителей люцерны], Ukrainian Research Institute for Plant Growing, Genetics, and Selection, Kharkov, 1–21. [in Russian].

Grebennikov V. S. 1973. Sectional shelters of trap-nests for solitary bees [Разъёмные гнездоблоки для одиночных пчёл]. Beekeeping [Пчеловодство], 9, 39–41. [in Russian].

Haedo, J. P., Martínez, L. C., Graffigna, S., Marrero, H. J., Torretta, J. P. 2022. Managed and wild bees contribute to alfalfa (Medicago sativa) pollination. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 324, 107711. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2021.107711.

Hobbs, G. A. 1973. Alfalfa leaf-cutter bees for pollinating alfalfa in Western Canada. Publication Canada Department of Agriculture, 1495, 1–30.

Killewald, M. F., Rowe, L. M., Graham, K. K., Wood, T. J., Isaacs, R. 2019. Use of nest and pollen resources by leafcutter bees, genus Megachile (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) in central Michigan. The Great Lakes Entomologist, 52(1), 8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22543/0090-0222.2338.

Konakov, N. N. 1940. Works directed to the increase in the diversity and abundance of pollinators of fodder plants [Работы по расширению и улучшению контингента опылителей кормовых растений]. The Voronezh Scientific Conference on the Study and Development of Productive Forces in the Region: abstracts [Воронежская научная конференция по изучению и развитию производительных сил в области: тезисы докладов], Voronezh, 118–119. [in Russian].

Kremen, C. 2018. The value of pollinator species diversity. Science, 359(6377), 741–742. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aar7614.

Leonard, R. J., Harmon-Threatt, A. N. 2019. Methods for rearing ground-nesting bees under laboratory conditions. Apidologie, 50(5), 689–703. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-019-00679-8.

Losey, J. E, Vaughan, M. 2006. The economic value of ecological services provided by insects. Bioscience, 56(4), 311–323. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1641/0006-3568(2006)56[311:TEVOES]2.0.CO;2.

Lubenets, P. A., Ivanov, A. I., Pesenko, Yu. A., Osytshnjuk, A. Z. 1974. Guidelines for the Breeding of Leafcutter Bees (Megachile rotundata) and Their Use to Pollinate Alfalfa [Методические указания по разведению пчелы-листореза (Megachile rotundata) и использование её для опыления семенников люцерны]. All-Union Research Institute of Plant Growing, Leningrad, 1–33. [in Russian].

Mirwan, H. B. 2023. Nesting traps to collect solitary cavity-nesting Hymenoptera. Al-Mukhtar Journal of Sciences, 38(2), 160–172. DOI: https://doi.org/10.54172/mjsc.v38i2.1247.

Morse, R. A, Calderone, N. W. 2000. The value of honey bees as pollinators of U.S. crops in 2000. Bee Culture, 128(3), 1–15.

Mukhin, Yu. P. 1977. Bees of forest-shelter belts, their conservation and attraction [Пчелиные полезащитных насаждений, их охрана и привлечение]. State and Conservation of Biological Resources in Volgograd Region: abstracts of the Inter-Departmental Scientific-Practical Conference [Состояние и охрана биологических ресурсов Волгоградской области: тезисы докладов межотраслевой научно-практической конференции], Volgograd State Pedagogical Institute, Volgograd, 54–56. [in Russian].

Mukhin, Yu. P., Badulin, A. V., Ostrovskii, F. N. 1980. Recommendations for the protection, attraction and resettlement of wild bees-pollinators of seed alfalfa in collective farms and state farms of Volgograd Region [Рекомендации по охране, привлечению и расселению диких пчелиных-опылителей семенной люцерны в колхозах и совхозах Волгоградской области]. Volgograd, 1–20. [in Russian].

Ollerton, J. 2017. Pollinator diversity: Distribution, ecological function, and conservation. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics, 48(1), 353–376. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-110316-022919.

Osychnyuk, G. Z. 1959. The Bees (Apoidea) of the Right-Bank Steppe of the Ukraine [Бджолинi (Apoidea) правобережного степу України]. Publishing of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kyiv, 1–92. [in Ukrainian].

Panfilov, D. V. 1952. Insect Pollinators of Alfalfa in the Stalingrad Province [Насекомые-опылители люцерны Сталинградской области]. The dissertation thesis for the scientific degree of the candidate of biological sciences. Moscow State University, Moscow, 1–13. URL: https://search.rsl.ru/ru/record/01005858834. [in Russian].

Pesenko, Yu. A. 1972a. Bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) of the Lower Don basin (fauna, trophic links, biocenology) [Пчелиные (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) Нижнего Дона (фауна, трофические связи, биоценология)]. The dissertation thesis for the scientific degree of the candidate of biological sciences. Zoological Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad, 1–22. URL: https://search.rsl.ru/ru/record/01007322269. [In Russian].

Pesenko, Yu. A. 1972b. Contributions to the fauna and ecology of bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) in the Lower Don basin. Report 3. Phenology and trophic links of the Andrenidae [Материалы по фауне и экологии пчелиных (Apoidea) Нижнего Дона. Сообщение 3. Фенология и трофические связи Andredidae]. Zoological Journal [Зоологический журнал], 51(8), 1196–1200. [in Russian].

Pesenko, Yu. A. 1972c. On methods of quantitative counts of insect pollinators [К методике количественных учётов насекомых-опылителей]. Ekologiya [Экология], 1, 89‒95. [in Russian].

Pesenko, Yu. A. 1974a. Contributions to the fauna and ecology of bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) in the Lower Don basin. Report 5. The biotopic distribution and formation of wild bee populations in secondary (suburb) biocoenoses [Материалы по фауне и экологии Нижнего Дона (Hymenoptera, Apoidea). Сообщение 5. Стациальное распределение и формирование населения пчелиных вторичных стаций]. Zoological Journal [Зоологический журнал], 53(6), 882–887 [in Russian].

Pesenko, Yu. A. 1974b. Pollination of entomophilous plants by bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) in the Lower Don and a discussion of their possible significance in speciation of the angiosperms [Опыление энтомофильной растительности пчелиными (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) на Нижнем Дону и обсуждение их возможной роли в видообразовании цветковых растений]. Reports in the 26th Annual Readings to the Memory of Prof. N. A. Kholodkovskiy, Leningrad, 6 April 1973 [Доклады на 26-м ежегодном чтении памяти Н. А. Холодковского, Ленинград, 6 апреля 1973 г.]. Nauka, Leningrad, 3–48. [in Russian].

Pesenko, Yu. A. 1982. Principles and Methods of Quantitative Analysis in Faunal Researches [Принципы и методы количественного анализа в фаунистических исследованиях]. Nauka, Moscow. 1–287. [in Russian].

Pits-Singer, T. L. 2013. Intended release and actual retention of alfalfa leafcutting bees (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) for pollination in commercial alfalfa seed fields. Journal of Economic Entomology, 106(2), 576–586. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1603/ec12416.

Pits-Singer, T. L., Cane, J. H. 2011. The Alfalfa leafcutting bee, Megachile rotundata: The world’s most intensively managed solitary bee. Annual Review of Entomology, 56, 221–237. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ento-120709-144836.

Ponomarev, A. N. 1975. The ecology of pollination of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) by insects [Экология энтомофильного опыления посевной люцерны (Medicago sativa L.)]. Pollination Ecology [Экология опыления]. Perm State University, Perm, 1, 5–36. [in Russian].

Popov, V. B. 1951. On the role of bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) in lucerne pollination [О значении пчелиных (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) в опылении люцерны]. Proceeding of All-Union Entomological Society [Труды Всесоюзного энтомологического общества], 43, 65–82. [in Russian].

Popov, V. B. 1956. The bees, their associations with angiosperm plants and the problem of alfalfa pollination [Пчелиные, их связи с цветковой растительностью и вопрос об опылении люцерны]. Entomological Review [Энтомологическое обозрение], 35(3), 582–598. [in Russian].

Rabinovich, V. M., Kiselev, A. N., Zharinov, V. I., Shuplik, P. P., Pipko, A. S., Radchenko, V. G., Kalmykov, V. R., Ivanov, S. P. 1975. A Complex of Measures for Alfalfa Growing [Комплекс мероприятий по выращиванию люцерны]. Prapor, Kharkov, 1–24. [in Russian].

Radchenko, V. G. 1982. A method for the accumulation and maintenance of abundance of alfalfa pollinators at the nature conditions [Методика накопления и поддержания численности опылителей люцерны в естественных условиях]. Insect Pollinators of Agricultural Plants [Насекомые-опылители сельскохозяйственных культур]. Siberian Branch of the V. I. Lenin All-Union Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Novosibirsk, 132–135. [in Russian].

Renzi, J. P., Coito, C., Reinoso, O., Quintana, M., García, F., Cantamutto, M. A. 2022. Megachile rotundata (Fab.) as a potential agro‐environmental conservation strategy for alfalfa seed production in Argentina. Journal of Applied Entomology, 146(1–2), 44–55. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jen.12953.

Rymashevskaya R. S. 1952. The role of bees (Apidea) in alfalfa pollination in Alma-Ata Region [Роль пчелиных (Apidea) в опылении люцерны в Алма-Атинской области]. The dissertation thesis for the scientific degree of the candidate of biological sciences. Alma-Ata. 1–12. [in Russian].

Semin, A. S., Burmistrov, A. N. 1981. The pollination of alfalfa by leaf-cutter bees in Canada [Опыление люцерны пчёлами-листорезами в Канаде]. Beekeeping [Пчеловодство], 1(2), 62–63. [in Russian].

Steinhauer, N. A., Rennich, K., Wilson, M. E., Caron, D. M., Lengerich, E. J., Pettis, J. S., Robyn, R., Skinner, J. A., Tarpy, D. R., Wilkes J. T., van Engelsdorp, D. 2014. A national survey of managed honey bee 2012–2013 annual colony losses in the USA: Results from the Bee Informed Partnership. Journal of Apicultural Research, 53(1), 1–18. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3896/IBRA.1.53.1.01.

Travin, I. S., 1947. Seed Production of Perennial Grasses [Семеноводство многолетних трав]. OGIS-SelkhozGIZ, Moscow, 1–264. [in Russian].

Zavgorodnaya, V. K. 1952. Bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) and Their Role in Alfalfa Pollination under Conditions of Grassland Agriculture [Пчелиные (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) и их роль в опылении люцерны в условиях травопольной системы земледелия]. The dissertation thesis for the scientific degree of the candidate of biological sciences. Voronezh State University, Voronezh, 1–12. [in Russian].

Zharinov, V. I. 1975. The fauna of alfalfa pollinators in the forest-steppe of the Ukrainian SSR [Видовой состав опылителей люцерны в Лесостепи УССР]. Proceeding of the Kharkov Agricultural Institute [Труды Харьковского сельскохозяйственного института], 206, 87–91. [in Russian].

Zharinov, V. I. 1980. A System of Means for Reservation of Pollinators and Increasing Their Populations in Seed Alfalfa Plantations [Система мероприятий по сохранению и увеличению опылителей семенных посевов люцерны]. V. I. Lenin All-Union Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Moscow, 1–46. [in Russian].

Zharinov, V. I., Osychnyuk, A. Z. 1976. Medick pollinators in the forest-steppe of the Left-Bank Ukraine [Опылители люцерны в лесостепи Левобережной Украины]. Vestnik Zoologii [Вестник зоологии], 2, 6–9. URL: http://mail.izan.kiev.ua/vz-pdf/1976/2/VZ%201976-2-02-Zharinov.pdf. [in Russian].

Zhuravlev, A. A. 1980. Methodical Instructions for Pollination of Seed Alfalfa Plantations by Wild Bees and Honey Bees [Методические указания по опылению семенных посевов люцерны дикими одиночными и медоносными пчёлами]. V. I. Lenin All-Union Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Moscow, 1–30. [in Russian].

Zinchenko, B. S. 1977. Pathways for rational use of pollinators in plantations of seed alfalfa [Пути рационального использования опылителей на семенниках люцерны]. Selection and Seed Growing [Селекция и семеноводство], 37, 72–76. [in Russian].

Zinchenko, B. S. 1982. On the fauna, attraction and management of alfalfa pollinators in the forest-steppe of the Ukraine [О видовом составе, привлечении и размножении опылителей люцерны в Лесостепи УССР]. Insect Pollinators of Agricultural Plants [Насекомые-опылители сельскохозяйственных культур]. Siberian Branch of the V. I. Lenin All-Union Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Novosibirsk, 129–132. [in Russian].

Zinchenko, B. S., Korbetskaya, L. A. 1980. Wild pollinators of seed alfalfa [Дикие опылители посевной люцерны]. Beekeeping [Пчеловодство], 6, 18‒19. [in Russian].

Downloads

Published

2023-11-29

Issue

Section

Статьи

How to Cite

“Solitary bees — pollinators of seed alfalfa in the north-east of Ukraine: current state and use in pollination” (2023) The Kharkov Entomological Society Gazette, 31(1), pp. 31–39. doi:10.36016/KhESG-2023-31-1-4.

Most read articles by the same author(s)