Osmiarufa L. (Hym. Megachilidae) as a Pollinator of Plants in Greenhouses

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
: Osmiarufa has been successfully used as a pollinator of early flowering plants in an unheated greenhouse. This species showed a favourable sex ratio which enhanced propagation; it readily occupied artificial domiciles, hibernated well at 4–-5°C in a refrigerator, and could be available for immediate use as pollinator. The bees were easily trapped in nature by means of cardboard tubes. The females preferred tubes of 6 mm diameter, but also nested in 8 mm tubes. The latter tubes gave a considerable increase in sex ratio both in nature and under greenhouse conditions. The value of O. rufa as a pollinator is discussed.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: