Pollinator Habitat and Safety FOR GOLF COURSE LANDSCAPES Jay McCurdy, PhD Assistant Professor, Turfgrass Extension Specialist Mississippi State University @MSTurfgrass
What s the Buzz about Pollinators?
A L N A I
Status of Honey Bee Health Are honey bee colonies facing health challenges? Comprehensive assessments recognize Varroa mite as the single most detrimental pest of honey bees and is closely associated with overwintering colony decline. Loss of habitat due to monoculture cropping systems is also a concern. -USDA, 2012.
Attracting and Protecting Pollinators mississippi-crops.com
Reconciliation ecology Seek ways to modify and diversify anthropogenic habitats to improve their capacity to sustain wild species.
Outline Selecting plant material and attracting pollinators. Guides and resources. Communicating with stakeholders. IPM Approaches that minimize pollinator exposure to pesticides.
L A Landscape N and Location Highly A visible? In play I or ornamental? Yearly maintenance or monthly? Consumers/Members must be involved in this process at some level. Consider Before Planting
A L N A I
Not So Formal
Identify Local Pollinators Local Extension, NRCS, USDA resources helpful. www.nrcs.usda.gov/internet/fse_plantmaterials/publications/mspmctn9081.pdf www.discoverlife.org/20/q?search=apoidea#identification
Bees perceive color differently from humans. Bees see UV but not red.
L A N A Plant diverse I stands. Bloom color, duration, and time of bloom.
A L N A I Move bee pleasing weeds from fairways to fallow areas. Leave open soil where possible. Let fallen timber lie in place.
A L N A I Hairy Vetch (Vicia villosa)
A L N A I Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
A L N A I Globe Thistle (Echinops ritro)
Eastern Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
A L N A I Use native materials.
A L N A I Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata)
Plant Material Selection operationpollinator.com beecare.bayer.com/home applewoodseed.com/ wildflower.org plants.usda.gov nrcs.usda.gov monarchwatch.org/waystations/registry pollinator.org/pollinator_week_2014.htm xerces.org findnativeplants.com
Explore Plant Material Online Lanceleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)
Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum)
plants.usda.gov Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum)
Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum)
Indian Blanket (Gaillardia pulchella)
A L N A I Plant material included in year 1 Operation Pollinator habitat at Mississippi State University. Common name Scientific name Growth cycle Lanced Leaved Coreopsis Coreopsis lanceolata perennial Purple Coneflower Echinacea purpurea perennial Indian Blanket Gaillardia pulchella annual Scarlet Sage Salvia coccinea annual, perennial Tickseed Sunflower Bidens polylepis anuual, biennial Golden Alexander Zizia aurea perennial Butterfly Milkweed Asclepias tuberosa perennial Clasping Coneflower Rudbeckia amplexicaulis annual Lemon Mint Monarda citriodora annual Smooth Aster Aster laevis perennial Swamp Sunflower Helianthus angustifolius Spotted Beebalm Monarda punctata annual, biennial, perennial Black-Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta annual, biennial, perennial Smooth Penstemon Penstemon digitalis perennial Plains Coreopsis Coreopsis tinctoria annual
Protecting Bees from Pesticides Pesticides include insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Even if the product is labeled safe for bees certain IPM approaches can minimize effects upon bees: Apply in evening when bees aren t foraging. Insure that forage-able flowers are removed (mowing).
Stewardship of Neonicotinoids Do not apply neonicotinoid insecticides to plants in the presence of pollinators. Do not apply to plants when bees are actively foraging. Do not spray plants with open flowers. Turf and soil applications are not a significant risk for bees, but applications translocated throughout a plant can become a risk. Water in applications Control broadleaf weeds where insecticides are to be used.
Extrafloral exudates or aphid honey dew may attract bees. Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)
A L N A I Communication is key.
Simple Signage to Educate the Stakeholder Pollinator Info Plant Material How to proceed with play if a ball lands in the area.
Thank You! Jeff Harris, Ph.D. Honey Bee Extension Specialist (Miss State) Angus Catchot, Ph.D. Crop Entomologist (Miss State) David Held, Ph.D. Horticulture Entomologist (Auburn) Caydee Savinelli Pollinator and IPM Stewardship (Syngenta)
Contact jmccurdy@pss.msstate.edu blogs.msstate.edu/turfgrass @MSTurfgrass