Wild bees are less abundant but show better pollination behaviour for sweet cherry than managed pollinators

Pollinating insects provide pollination services to many crop species, including sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.), and this can be delivered by both managed wild pollinators. Managed pollinators are often used pollinate a range of fruit crops, but increasingly the role is being studied. However, importance pollinator species depends on their relative abundance effectiveness, which foraging activity variability throughout day. In study, insect visitors blossoms were observed in commercial orchards explore abundance, diversity behaviour different groups A total 1,174 from 31 recorded visiting over 2 years, 71.0% visits (western honeybee, Apis mellifera L. buff-tailed bumblebee, Bombus terrestris L.) compared 29.0% On average, solitary bees visited blossom for longest duration (20.7 (±2.0 SE) seconds), whereas queen bumblebees greatest number flowers per minute (mean 19.0 (±1.3 SE)). As these contacted stigmas more moved frequently between tree rows than hoverflies, they likely facilitate cross-pollination. The also showed variation behavioural parameters day, less was when all considered altogether. This suggests diverse communities might expected stable service cherry. study demonstrates that whilst pollinators, bee bumblebee behaviours effective at enhancing orchards, which, turn, lead increased yields.