Fruit tree wall peak pollination new technology

Author: Chief Editor: Zhou Weiru
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-03-08
Features: Scientifically utilizing mason bees for pollination of various fruit trees can double the yield of fruits, improve fruit quality, greatly reduce labor costs, and achieve good economic benefits with broad development prospects. This book is organized and compiled by the Key Laboratory of Biological Control Resources Research and Utilization of Crop Pests and Diseases under the Ministry of Agriculture and the Institute of Biological Control, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. It includes: an overview of domestic and international use of mason bees for pollination, species and morphological characteristics of mason bees, biological characteristics of mason bees; management and release techniques of mason bees, pollination of fruit trees by mason bees and their effects, factors affecting the reproduction and population expansion of mason bees; introduction and resource conservation of mason bees, etc. Illustrated with color photographs. Suitable for、、 as well as agricultural school teachers and students for reference.
Excerpt:
(1) Entomophilous Plants and Pollinating Insects
Entomophilous plants and pollinating insects are the result of long-term co-evolution between insects and plants. Entomophilous plants rely on the pollination activities of insects for species propagation, while pollinating insects obtain nutrients for survival during pollination. The two form a close, mutually beneficial, and interdependent relationship. Among flowering plant species, approximately 65% are entomophilous, most of which require cross-pollination for normal reproduction. Entomophilous flowers are generally larger than wind-pollinated flowers, with bright colors and strong fragrances, capable of attracting insects from afar to feed and thus achieve pollination. The morphological structure, physiological biochemistry, and phenology of different species of entomophilous plants and pollinating insects depend on the degree of interdependence. For example, clover flowers, with their hermaphroditic stamens enclosed within petals, can only be pollinated effectively by leaf-cutting bees that use their mouthparts to expose the stamens. Similarly, domesticated bees pollinating camellia can suffer poisoning due to physiological and biochemical incompatibility, requiring the use of antidotes before releasing them into camellia plantations. However, in camellia plantations with a large number of wild bees, such as large-lipped bees and several ground-nesting bees, they are the main pollinators of camellia. Through long-term co-evolution, they have adapted to the biochemical characteristics (containing certain alkaloids) and phenological characteristics (blooming in October and November) of camellia. Under lower temperatures, they can reproduce in large numbers in camellia forests, such as the ground-nesting bee, which can reach over 200 individuals per square meter; large-lipped bees are widely distributed across camellia production areas. Different types of entomophilous flowers rely on different types of pollinating insects as mediums to achieve cross-pollination. The unique morphological structures of different plants, such as the scent, shape, and color of flowers, have a unique attraction for pollinating insects.
1. Flower Scent
According to human olfactory standards, flower scents can be broadly categorized as fragrant or foul. However, insect olfaction differs from that of humans. Some entomophilous flowers emit foul odors, similar to decaying proteins, animal feces, and rotting corpses. While these flowers may be beautiful, they are not favored by humans but attract many sensitive beetles and fly species for pollination. Other entomophilous flowers have fragrant scents. Although small and not brightly colored, their fragrance can attract highly sensitive bees, butterflies, and moths for pollination. The scent released by entomophilous flowers can attract pollinating insects from afar, especially important for nocturnal moths. Under natural conditions, when flowers are mature and ready for pollination, they emit stronger scents to attract pollinating insects to complete the pollination process. Some entomophilous plants also release chemical signals similar to those of certain pollinating insects to attract these specialized pollinators for cross-pollination.
2. Flower Shape
Different groups of insects have different preferences for flower shapes. Beetles, flies, and moths tend to choose radially symmetrical flowers for pollination. Bees, belonging to the Hymenoptera order, have highly developed vision and prefer radially and bilaterally symmetrical flowers, capable of distinguishing differences in flower shapes. Darwin once observed that the shape of orchid flowers (Ophrys speculum) resembles that of female Campsoscolia wasps, both with long red hairs that attract male wasps. The specific actions of male bees visiting flowers are identical to those during mating. This behavior is called pseudocopulation, which facilitates pollen transfer and achieves cross-pollination.