Patricia Estay at the 7th International Seminar in Lima: "Native bumblebees increase productivity"

There is a growing awareness of the importance of using native pollinators to achieve optimal pollination without compromising the environment, avoiding the risks associated with the commercial introduction of exotic pollinators that could affect our great biodiversity. Pollination by insects is not only beneficial for crops, since the absence of pollinating insects would produce a devastating effect on the wild flora. Most of the vital species could disappear for the natural balance, endangering the survival of the planet.

We spoke with Patricia Estay Agrónomo Engineer M.Sc. in Entomology from the Agricultural Research Institute (INIA) under the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture, which is the National Coordinator of Plant Health, which will present the topic "How to face pollination in blueberry cultivation, its importance and experience with pollinating agents" , at the next International Seminar that will take place on June 13 at the JW Marriott in Lima, Peru.

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.) are distributed in Asia, Europe and America, from Greenland to the Amazon, more frequently in temperate zones. In Peru they are known as “ronsapa”, “huayronq'o” or “huayroncokuna”, and they are distributed mainly along the Andes, while their presence in the jungle and coast is less. There are currently 14 known Bombus species from Peru, but it is possible that some names represent separate species, thus increasing the number of recorded species, but these taxonomic aspects remain unresolved and require further investigation. The largest number of species is found in departments with high, low, and humid inter-Andean valleys, such as Huánuco, Junín, and Cuzco, with seven or eight different species recorded so far in each of them. Bombus finebris has been found in 15 departments of Peru and seems to be the most common species, with the widest distribution, and the one that is least affected by agricultural disturbance of its habitat, as occurs for example in the Mantaro valley, in Junín.

These bumblebees of the genus Bombus are worldwide recognized as excellent pollinators, because of their greater weight they can fly even with rain and light winds. They have the ability to vibrate the flower, with the consequent better detachment of pollen. Deposit large amount of pollen in the stigmas. Since they have little flight capacity (up to 150 m) versus bees (up to 5 km of flight), using this pollinator must determine its number based on the number of rows, not exceeding distances greater than 100 m from the hive, for this reason, 10 hives of Bombus / ha should be used, taking the same safety precautions indicated for bee hives.

  • Which pollinating agent is more effective, the Bombus or the bee?
  • All the studies and research that we have done, comparing the application of Bombus and bees in the tasks of pollination, show as a result that the best management is the joint work of both insects. They complement and enhance in a very good way, both in crops produced in tunnels and outdoors.

In Chile, the only native species is Bombus dahlbomii, whose population in different regions of Chile has decreased in the last decade, probably due to environmental problems. In investigations carried out by Patricia Estay it is demonstrated that the Bombus dahlbomii, is able to pollinate under greenhouse and outdoor conditions. It also happens in Peru, with the Bombus atratus, of which investigations, tests and evaluations are being carried out to apply it massively as a pollinating agent in the Peruvian agrofrutícola industry.

  • What are the qualities of Bombus that make it different from bees?
  • There are several differences. This insect supports very low temperatures, close to 1 ° C, so it can start very early to work and finish very late, unlike bees that work on 14 ° C. They do not communicate with each other, so they go again and again to the source of nectar and pollen. They have a large and hairy body which makes it a very efficient pollen factor. They pollinate two or three times more flowers per minute than a bee and are excellent pollinators, both in the open sky and in tunnels, greenhouses or meshes, unlike bees, which become disoriented by the diffuse light of indoor crops. They also resist the wind speed up to 70 km / h, among other qualities.

The INIA researcher and agronomist from the Catholic University of Valparaíso and Master of Science from the University of Ottawa in Canada, is the author and editor of: "Apis mellifera, pollination according to target species", "Integrated management of the yellow jacket wasp" and two books: "Insects, mites and diseases associated with tomato in Chile" and "Bombus in Chile: species, biology and management". In 2013, she was distinguished by the College of Agricultural Engineers with the Carlos Porter Award for her activity, and for her contribution to the environment, energy efficiency, and sustainability.

Source: Martín Carrillo O. - Blueberries Consulting

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