Hastings Natural History Reservation

26 Feb, 02 AM - 26 Feb, 09 AM

Our interest in using Osmia lignaria from California is because of the increasing need for another pollinator of almond in addition to the honey bee and the proven superior pollination potential of this native, cavity-nesting species. Distinct phenotypic variations exist between the later flying intermountain O. lignaria we normally have access to and the earlier flying populations in California. Our previous source for the small California populations used to confirm the phenotipic variation is no longer available. We therefore hope to obtain our own populations in 2006 from the progeny in the trap-nests. Removing these few nest blocks in the fall will not impact the indigenous population since they attract surplus nesters. A trap-nesting survey on the Hastings Natural History State Reserve by John Barthell several decades ago showed O. lignaria to be present in good abundance there. With your permission, returning there promises us a better chance for success. In 2007 we hope to have enough progeny to emerge and release some in February/March in our greenhouses here in Utah. We also plan to emerge and release some in cooperation with almond growers in the Central Valley of California to determine flight timing and nesting success there as well. If we are successful with re-nesting in 2007, we would not need to return to repeat the trap-nesting. If more wild-trapped populations from San Joaquin experimental range are needed in the future, and we are allowed to return, some O. lignaria from the previous year from this location would be released to supplement the natural populations.

Visit #9224 @Hastings Natural History Reservation

Approved

Under Project # 6343 | Research

Wild-trapping of California blue orchard bees, Osmia lignaria, in California?s Central Valley.

research_scientist - US Department of Agriculture

Reservation Members(s)

Glen Trostle Feb 26, 2006 (1 days)

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Day Use Only 1 Feb 26 (7 hours)