BUMBLE BEE MANAGEMENT OPTIONS TO IMPROVE 'GRASSlANDS PAWERA' RED CLOVER SEED YIELDS

Abstract

Three options of bumble bee management for red clover pollination are discussed: spring supplementation with queens caught outside the locality; colony introduction at flowering; and permanently sited hives close to the crop. The first two options must be carried out annually whereas the last option presupposes an adequate local food source prior to flowering. It is contended that even with successful permanent siting further annual introductions would be required where the area in crop is to be considerably increased. Details of hive construction, field placement and colony management are outlined. In 1982 the amount of seed set, on a machine dressed basis, for one colony of B. hortorom and B. ruderatus was 130 kg and 56 kg respectively Keywords: Pawera red clover, seed yields, Bombus hortorum, B. ruderatus, hive construction, colony management.