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2012: Impacts of Pathogens and Pesticides on Wild Bees in Eastern Apple Orchards
Apple growers typically use managed colonies of the European honey bee as pollinators, but wild bees are also at work. Cornell researchers have detected more than 100 species of native bees in central New York apple orchards. This study will measure the impact of pesticides and pathogens—two major threats to native bee survival—on wild mason bees. The research promises to improve the profitability and sustainability of New York orchards by establishing how management practices can help wild bees to thrive.
Investigators: Bryan Danforth, Andre Kessler, Motoko Mukai, Eric Nelson