Potential Bee Pollinators of Sweet Cherry in Inclement Weather Conditions

Abstract

Many varieties of sweet cherry are self-incompatible and the honey bee is the main pollinator used in the orchards. However, honey bee is not active in the weather temperature below 12 degrees C or in rainy weather conditions. This study was initiated to determine the pollinator bee species of three sweet cherry orchards in Sultandagi reservoir (Turkey) during 2008 and 2009. Active bee species in the unfavourable weather conditions were also investigated. Malaise traps were used to collect a total of 1476 bee specimens. A total of sixty-three species belonging to Andrenidae (five species), Anthophoridae (seven species), Apidae (only one species), Halictidae (fourty-six species) and Megachilidae (four species) families were identified. It was observed that thirty-seven species were active in full bloom period of sweet cherry and thirteen of them could maintain their activities in the air temperatures below 12 degrees C, in general. Additionally, five bee species were also active in the rainy days.