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Re: bee friends


> > Someone asked why I called the bumblebee, the champion pollinator. 
Their
> > weight and extended proboscis mean they can get at almost any flower's
> > nectar and in doing so are sure to disturb the flower parts enough to
> > insure pollination.  They are the only pollinators who can do the job
on
> > tomato flowers - commercial greenhouses growing tomatoes have found
that
> > bumblebees do a much better job than humans, even when equipped with
> > electric toothbrushes.
 
> > Don Maroc

__________________________________________________
 
> Don, 
> 
> I'm curious about these items.  You're comments are contrary to what I've
> heard in the past.  I've been told that honey bees are better pollinators
> than bumblebees, at least for fruit trees, because the honey bee will go 
> methodically from flower to flower while the bumblebee skips around. 
This 
> seems to hold true from my observations.  Also, I've always been told
that 
> tomatoes don't need bees to pollinate.  The movement of the plant by the
wind 
> or shaking them is enough to distribute the pollen.
> 
> Any further insight would be greatly appreciated.
> 
> Chris
> Lansdale, PA 
__________________________________________________

Don,

I am not trying to gang up on you but what Chris Lawson is suggesting seems
true.

I have raised European Honey Bees for 10 years. A honey bee is a good
pollinator and commercialy used for this purpose, due to the fact that when
foraging they will zero in on a food source. This source is communiated
throughout the hive and all workers will pursue the same nectar / pollen
from the same type of flower in the area they are feeding.

The Bumble Bee on the other hand will ramble about collecting nectar /
pollen from various sources. Squash then tomato, then pole bean. This is
not to say that they don't do a fair job, I have seen them behave similar
to the honey bee, but this is luck of the draw vs. genetic instinct found
in the honey bee..

Chris
Moraga, Calif.
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