Honeybee pollination of highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum)

Abstract

The role of honeybees (Apis mellifera) in the pollination of highbush blueberries was studied in an experimental planting at Knoxfield, Victoria. Honeybees comprised 95.4% of all insect visitors to this crop, and their foraging activity made them efficient pollinators. Plants visited by bees had a greater percentage fruit set (61 v. 18%), increased fruit numbers (1156 v. 144) and more fruit by weight (1.6 v. 0.2 kg), than did plants caged to prevent access by bees and larger insects. Bird netting did not impede pollination. Flowers inside a bird-proof cage had a greater frequency of bee visitations (8.25 v. 1.5 bees/14 plants) than did plants outside the enclosure.