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°C or in rainy weather conditions. This study was initiated to determine the pollinator bee species of three sweet cherry orchards in Sultandağč± 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°C, in general. Additionally, five bee species were also active in the rainy days.