Observations on the pollination of apple trees (Malus sylvestris Mill.)

Abstract

Insect visitation on Cox's Orange Pippin apple trees was studied during the blossoming period at Appleby, near Richmond, Nelson. The only insects of any importance as pollinators were honey bees and bumble bees (Bombus terrestris Linn.), nearly all of which were nectar-collectors. Honey bees were about 18 times as numerous on the flowers as bumble bees. At most only a trace of fruit set occurred on trees caged to exclude bees. It was concluded that fruit set depended almost entirely upon insect visitation to flowers, and that honey bees were by far the most important pollinators. Supplementary observations, confined to insect visitation, were also made at Appleby on the apple varieties. Dunn's Favourite and Granny Smith. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.