Buzz Pollinators

[Les]

Learned something new but if you watch the video to the end, it is indicated that blueberries need buzz pollinators.  Honeybees are not buzz pollinators, so why are commercial beekeepers hauling honeybees to blueberry fields? 

[moebees]

Learned something new but if you watch the video to the end, it is indicated that blueberries need buzz pollinators.  Honeybees are not buzz pollinators, so why are commercial beekeepers hauling honeybees to blueberry fields? 

Here is an article from NC State. https://entomology.ces.ncsu.edu/small-fruit-insect-biology-management/blueberry-pollinators/

They say sonication enhances pollination so apparently it is beneficial but not essential as with tomatoes.  So like with most pollination done with honey bees they get results through overwhelming numbers.

[riverbee]

les, what moebees said about the numbers.

honeybees go for the blueberries primarily for the nectar, and as i understand it, they will 'drum' or 'vibrate' the anther to release whatever little pollen they can and inadvertently carry it from one flower to the next.

the bumbles and wild bees are the best at the buzz pollination, honey bees are a supplement, my understanding.

i think perry might be able to answer this question better than i can, can't remember if he did some blueberry pollination or not?