ARMING FOR OLLINATORS - Xerces Society

1 Xerces Society Pollinator Resources Principles of Farming for Crop Pollinators The Xerces Society is a nonprofit organization that Know the habitat on your farm. Using the illustra We have the good fortune of being home to many protects biological diversity through conservation of tion in this brochure as a guide, look for areas on native pollinators, including blue orchard bees . invertebrates. We work with farmers and scientists and around your land that can support native bees . We believe that our being chemical free helps our across the country to protect habitat that supports bees flourish, and they in turn help produce some Protect flowering plants and nest sites. Once you of the sweetest berries in the whole country. pollinators and to increase native bee populations know where bees are living and foraging, do what for crop production. More information on provid Mandy McCormick you can to protect these resources from disturbance Blue Tara Organic Blueberry Farm ing habitat for native bees is available on our web and pesticides.

2 Poplarville, Mississippi site at , where you can download pollinator-friendly plant Enhance habitat with f lowering plants and addi . lists, conservation fact sheets, or a copy of Farming tional nest sites. Adding flowers, leaving areas of for bees , our detailed guidelines for protecting and soil untilled where possible, and providing bee Getting Started providing native bee habitat on farms. You can also blocks (tunnels drilled into wood) are all ways to Here are two things that you can do to begin im . purchase Attracting Native Pollinators, a comprehen increase the number of native bees on your farm. proving habitat for native bees on your land: sive handbook to pollinator conservation on farms Minimize tillage. Many of our best crop pollinators and in gardens, urban areas, and other landscapes. I was surprised to learn how native pollinators live underground for most of the year, sometimes can make honey bees much more effective at at the base of the very plants they pollinate.

3 To pro . pollinating our sunflowers. As we continue work- tect them, turn over soil only where you need to. ing to increase biodiversity on our farm, we'll be Allow crops to bolt. If possible, let leafy crops such FAR M I NG adding features to help the wild bees . Charlie Rominger as lettuce flower if they don't need to be tilled right away. This gives bees additional food sources. The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation 628 NE Broadway, Suite 200, Portland, OR 97232 F OR Rominger Brothers' Farms Winters, California Going Further 855 - 232 - 6639 P OL L I NATOR S If you want to do more to increase the number of native bees pollinating your crops, you can set aside NRCS Programs Critical Requirements of Native bees marginal areas, plant hedgerows or windbreaks with The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) a variety of flower ing plants, reduce or eliminate the of the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) pro Native bees and Your Crops Food. bees eat only pollen and nectar.

4 In gathering use of pesticides, or work with your neigh bors to pro . vides financial and technical assistance to support these resources, they move pollen from one flower tect natural areas around your farm. conservation efforts for pollinators and other wild Native bees are valuable crop pollinators. These to another, and thus pollinate your crops. bees rely life on farms. NRCS conservation programs can help wild bees help increase crop yields, and may on an abundance and variety of flowers, and need Exercising Care with Insecticides agricultural producers establish pollinator-friendly blooming plants throughout the growing season. serve as important insurance when honey bees If you must use insecticides, choose targeted ingre . plantings of native and naturalized spe cies, provide Native plant species are particularly valuable. are hard to come by. dients (for example, Btk for pests such as leaf roll . nesting sites for bees , and manage pollinator habitat. Shelter.)

5 Native bees don't build the wax or paper ers) and the least harmful formulations (granules or For more information on these programs, contact There are simple and inexpensive things you struc tures we associate with honey bees or wasps, solutions). Spray on dry evenings and do so soon your local USDA service center. You can find the but they do need places to nest, which vary depend . can do to increase the number of native bees after dark, when bees are not active. Keep in mind NRCS office nearest you at ing on the species. Wood-nesting bees are solitary, living on your land. Any work you do on behalf that even when crops are not in bloom, some of your often nesting in soft-pithed twigs or beetle tun nels best pollinators are visiting nearby flowers, where of pollinators will support other beneficial in in standing dead trees. Ground-nesting bees in clude they may be killed by drifting chemicals. sects and wildlife. In addition, improvements to solitary species that construct nest tunnels under pollinator hab itat may be eligible for financial bare ground.

6 Cavity-nesting social species bumble support from government programs. bees make use of small spaces, such as aban doned Published by the Xerces Society in collaboration with the USDA -NRCS . Most native bees are unlikely to sting. The rodent burrows, wherever they can find them. Additional funding has been provided by the Turner Foundation, the CS yellowjackets and other wasps you see eating Fund, the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, the Ceres Trust, and Inside you'll find more information, along with Protection from pesticides. Most insecticides are rotting fruit and hanging around picnics are the Columbia Foundation. Illustrations by Andrew Holder. Designed and produced by Press-22. Copyright 2005 by the Xerces Society . The USDA. a visual guide to identifying and enhancing deadly to bees , and herbicide use can remove many not bees , nor are they significant pollinators. and the Xerces Society are equal-opportunity providers and employers. habitat for native bees on your farm.

7 Of the flowers that they need for food. XS 0212. Riparian Buffers Hedgerows or Windbreaks Natural or Undeveloped Areas Food and Shelter Fallow Fields and Set-Asides Food and Shelter Food and Shelter Habitat along streams should contain a diversity of plants. Willows, Food and Shelter Creating hedgerows with a wide variety of plants that have Nearby natural areas may harbor all the native bees in particular, will nourish bumble bee queens in the spring so that Even small areas of fallow or unproductive overlapping flowering periods will provide bee habitat needed to pollinate your farm's crops. Consider inviting large numbers of workers are available when crops begin to bloom. land, especially when sown with native flowers, throughout the growing season and strengthen your neighbors to help with safeguarding these habitats. can offer important resources for native bees . populations of natural enemies of crop pests. Snags Gardens Shelter Pesticides Food Keeping dead trees standing provides shelter for native Insecticides kill pollinators outright, and herbicides may destroy plants A vegetable, flower, or herb garden, with a diverse assort ment bees .

8 Some solitary bees build nests in abandoned important for both food and shelter. It is preferable to minimize your use of plants, is a good source of food for pollinators. Be wary of beetle tunnels in snags. of pesticides and to carefully choose products and application methods. fancy hybrids that may produce little pollen or nectar. Temporary Bee Pasture Ponds and Ditches Food Food and Shelter Field and Road Borders Cover Crops Artificial Nests Planting fields with clover or other in When you create a pond or ditch, leave the pile of Food and Shelter Food Shelter expensive seed or allowing crops such as excavated soil. Ground-nesting bees may build nests Leave areas next to fields untilled and Flowering plants certain legumes in Making bee blocks for wood-nesting lettuce, kale, basil, and broccoli to bolt in stable, bare areas of this mounded earth. Planting unsprayed to support flowering plants and particular can be included in cover- bees is a good way to increase the will supply bees with nectar and pollen.

9 Clumps of native flowers will attract more pollinators. provide nest sites for ground-nesting bees . crop mixes to supply pollen and nectar. number of native bees in your landscape.