Introducing managed bees (honey bees, stingless bees, and bumble bees) is a well-documented strategy to enhance pollination services in controlled environments such as greenhouses. But what about wild bees?
A new study conducted in Brazil compared the pollination services provided by stingless bees (Melipona quadrifasciata) and wild bees in open fields of organic tomatoes. Researchers evaluated bee communities and pollination services across seven farms: four with introduced stingless bee hives and three without hives.
The results showed that managed stingless bees are not so attracted to tomato flowers, and that pollination was performed mainly by wild bees.
Therefore, conserving and promoting wild pollinators in organic agroecosystems – especially through the management of non-crop plants – could be a key strategy for improving crop production.

Читать статью полностью здесь.