Entomology Commons^™

Tb26: Native Bees Associated With The Low-Bush Blueberry In Maine And Eastern Canada, L. W. Boulanger, G. W. Wood, E. A. Osgood, C. O. Dirks

Technical Bulletins

Native bees are particularly important pollinators of lowbush blueberry. Changes in certain cultural practices since the 1930s, however, have caused substantial reductions in the native bee populations. Recent observations, however, have shown that adjustments in these practices can have a beneficial effect on native bees with accompanying increases in their numbers. Collections of native Apoidea were made in various areas of Maine and eastern Canada from 1961 through 1965 to determine the species present and their relative abundance in blueberry fields. Of the 89 species collected, 59 were taken on lowbush blueberry blossoms, and 10 in close association with lowbush …