Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries - Alfalfa Leafcutter Bee Efficacy in Wild Blueberry Production

Abstract: Four aspects of pollination (pollen deposition, percent fruit set, berry weight and proportion of large fruit) were evaluated at 10, 30, 60 and 120 metres from shelter locations to determine the efficacy of alfalfa leafcutter bees at improving wild blueberry production at three locations in northeastern New Brunswick. Pollen deposition, berry weight and the proportion of large fruit were significantly higher at 10, 30 and 60 metres as compared to 120 metres. Fruit set was significantly higher at 10 and 30 metres than it was at 120 metres. These results showed the ability of leafcutting bees to increase pollination and that distance from shelters is an important consideration when using these bees for blueberry pollination.