Smart Gardening for Pollinators Abi Saeed MSU Extension Master Gardener College (2016)
North American Honey bees have European Origin Brought by early colonists in the early 1600s
Besides managed honey bees 4000 species of wild native bees also provide pollination services in the USA!
and nearly 450 species recorded in Michigan
Bumble bees (Apidae) Mason bees, leafcutter bees (Megachilidae) Types of Wild Bees Sweat Bees (Halictidae) Mining bees (Andrenidae)
Types of Wild Bees Bumble bees (Apidae)
Types of Wild Bees Carpenter bees (Apidae)
Types of Wild Bees Mason bees, leafcutter bees, digger bees (Megachilidae)
Types of Wild Bees Sweat Bees (Halictidae)
Types of Wild Bees Mining bees (Andrenidae)
Pollination is Beneficial to the Insect and the Plant The Insect gets food The plant increases probability of successful reproduction Flowers have changed their anatomy to make it easy for pollen to be picked up and moved!!
Flowers like to cater to their Pollinators Since bees can see certain colors better than others (including UV), bee-pollinated flowers often have UV markings Flowers that like to cater to beetles and flies are shallower, allowing these insects to get to the nectar/pollen more easily
Some are generalists
Some are extremely specialized! Very specific relationship between two organisms Plants sometimes trick these insects into visiting them!
The Mystery of Darwin s Star Orchid
Darwin s Hawk Moth!
A Beautiful Partnership!
80% of Plant Species Depend on Animals for Pollination Bees are the MOST IMPORTANT Pollinators!
Bees are Pollen Specialists! Branched hairs!
Why should we care? Pollination services to U.S. Agriculture is valued at $20 billion/year
U. S. grows 100 crops dependent on pollination
Your produce selection without bees: Produce selection with bees Produce selection without bees
Besides bees Several other groups of insects!
Besides insects Birds, Mammals, Reptiles!
with bees without bees
Wildlife! Bees support native plant communities that provide food for wildlife (birds, mammals, etc.)
The beauty in our gardens!
Why are ALL bees declining? Management practices
Why are ALL bees declining? Habitat loss!
What do bees need? Low chemical input Food Nesting Habitat
What do bees need? Low chemical input Food Nesting Habitat
70% of Pesticide use is for Aesthetic Reasons
99% of bugs in your garden are BENEFICIAL
Safeguard bees when using insecticides Follow label precautions DON T overspray plants in bloom Mow or prune off oversprayed blooms Choose products that are relatively non-hazardous to bees
New EPA Bee Advisory Box
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Safeguard bees when using insecticides Follow label precautions DON T overspray plants in bloom Mow or prune off oversprayed blooms Choose products that are relatively non-hazardous to bees
What Can You Do to Help Pollinators? Do NOT spray flowers in bloom, and avoid pesticide drift to adjacent plants Read and follow label directions
Sprays versus granular applications No adverse effects Larson et al. (2013)
Safeguard bees when using insecticides Follow label precautions DON T overspray plants in bloom Mow or prune off oversprayed blooms Choose products that are relatively non-hazardous to bees
If using systemic insecticides, common sense practices can greatly reduce hazard: Prune (e.g., boxwoods) to remove blooms after spraying with Wait until after bloom if treating for scales, leafminers, lace bugs
If using systemic insecticides, common sense practices can greatly reduce hazard: Mow (e.g., lawns) to remove flower heads from lawn weeds (eg., clover, dandelion, etc.)
Safeguard bees when using insecticides Follow label precautions DON T overspray plants in bloom Mow or prune off oversprayed blooms Choose products that are relatively non-hazardous to bees
What Can You Do to Help Pollinators? Choose green insecticides if spraying to control pests on or around flowering plants Read and follow label directions
What Can You Do to Help Pollinators? Know WHEN to spray, and if it will be worth the risk to bees. Can the situation be managed in other ways?
What do bees need? Low chemical input Food Nesting Habitat
What do wild bees need? Nest sites Undisturbed soil Access to that soil Old stems Soft leaves Rodent burrows Compost piles Constructed nests Non-toxic nest material Floral resources
What do wild bees need? Nest sites Undisturbed soil Access to that soil Old stems Soft leaves Rodent burrows Compost piles Constructed nests Non-toxic nest material Floral resources Diversity of plant species A range of flower types Accessible pollen & nectar Continuous resources Non-toxic forage
What do bees need? Low chemical input Food Nesting Habitat
More ways to help bees: Provide Resources: Diversity of plant species with succession of bloom from early spring through fall
Diversity of Plants = Diversity of Bees!
Food: All Season Long! http://nativeplants.msu.edu/uploads/files/e2973.pdf
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Does it have to be native plants and/or wildflowers?? NO!
Listed here--- just few Experiment!! Plants for Pollinators Mix and match! Keep a log or photo journal. Don t take lists as gospel -Tip of the iceberg!!
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They see things we don t-uv!! Since bees can see certain colors better than others (including UV), bee-pollinated flowers often have UV markings
Sequence-time of bloom Early Show Prime time Late Show Credits?
Sequence-time of bloom Look for plants that have a long bloom span or that rebloom Nepeta (Catmint) Heuchera (Coral bells, new cultivars)
Sequence-time of bloom Plants that bloom very early or very late to extend the season EARLY-Phlox divaricata (Shown here) LATE- Autumn Joy Sedum
Early Season Crabapple False Indigo American Yellowwood Cornelian Cherry Winter King Hawthorn Flowering Cherry Redbud Serviceberry Foster s Holly
Prime Time This is when gardens swing into bloom. So many species of trees, shrubs, annuals and perennials gear up for a brilliant debut during early to mid summer!!
Mid-Season Bottlebrush Buckeye Pee Gee Hydrangea Golden Raintree Climbing Prairie Rose St. John s Wort Amur Maackia Virginia Spiraea Clethra Winterberry Holly Linden
Late Season Bee Bee Tree Abelia Seven-Son Flower Winged Sumac Chaste Tree Devil s Walking Stick
Early Season and Late Season Especially Important! Limited resources available
But: Some plants are NOT AS GOOD as others! Azalea Think about getting a plant that you think looks pretty, but also can be useful for Pollinators! Roses
What they may not like Non-native selections of certain plants Double blooms (ie dahlias or peonies) Impatiens walleriana Marigold (doubles) Petunia
What do bees need? Low chemical input Food Nesting Habitat
If you were a pollinator
Ideal home lawn in the USA Dense, green, monoculture
Lawns in the USA
Lawns in the USA
37 species of bees, including several rare and declining native bumble bees, foraging on lawn weeds - Larson & Potter, Journal of Insect Conservation (2014)
Lawn weeds help to sustain urban bee populations These patches act as stepping stones between remnants of natural habitat
What Can You Do to Help Bees? What level of lawn excellence are able to accept/maintain/overlook?
If you were a pollinator
What Can You Do to Help Bees? Provide nesting sites Leave some areas mulch-free!
What Can You Do to Help Bees? Blue orchard bee Provide nesting structures
Create a Pollinator Patch! Devote a small space in your yard as designated bee habitat!
MULLET GARDENS Business in the front, Party in the Back!
Where to get more Information?
SMART PLANTS FOR POLLINATORS
SMART HABITAT FOR POLLINATORS
SMART LAWNS FOR POLLINATORS
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Thank You!!