Honey bees are not native to North America, but they have been here for hundreds of years. In this episode we dive into the deep history of honey bee importations to North America and learn how molecular technologies can provide insight into the subspecies character of contemporary North American honey bee populations.

PolliNation

195 - Maddie Carpenter - What is the North American honey bee?

It’s the 100th anniversary of the Oregon State Beekeepers Association and to celebrate beekeepers are holding a hybrid conference (in person and online). This week we hear about some of the highlights of the conference and what to look forward to.

194 - Joe Maresh - Oregon State Beekeepers Association Conference

This week we hear about an ambitious new initiative in California to increase the adoption of pollinator-friendly practices on working lands.

193 - Laurie Adams and Josette Lewis - California Pollinator Coalition

There has been an explosion of interest in using native plants for pollinators. Along with this interest there is the question of whether nativars - a natural variant that has been found in the wild and brought into cultivation - are equally beneficial to pollinators. This week we look into an ongoing research project asking this very question.

192 - Lisa DeVetter - Blueberry Pollination Planner

191 - Jen Hayes - Natives v nativars for pollinators

Bees are key pollinators of sweet cherry. This week we hear about research from Belgium on using other managed bee species to pollinate this crop (other than honey bees), the influence of encouraging pollinator habitat, as well as tips on keeping managed mason bees healthy and happy during cherry pollination.

190 - Maxime Eeraerts - Sweet cherry pollination

One of the most influential books about bees has little to do with bees, but rather reflects on the nature of modern society. Bernard Mandeville (1670-1733) wrote and revised his “Fable of the Bees”, after publishing a poem in 1705 titled “The Grumbling Hive: or, Knaves Turn'd Honest”. The book is considered one the first pieces of modern sociology and was influential for revolutionaries lat

189 - Spencer Leonard - Fable of the Bees (Part 2)

One of the most influential books about bees has little to do with bees, but rather reflects on the nature of modern society. Bernard Mandeville (1670-1733) wrote and revised his “Fable of the Bees”, after publishing a poem in 1705 titled “The Grumbling Hive: or, Knaves Turn'd Honest”. The book is considered one the first pieces of modern sociology and was influential for revolutionaries later in the 18th Century. We discuss the book as part of a two-part series.

188 - Spencer Leonard - Fable of the Bees (Part 1)

Natural Resources Conservation Service has a range of programs to support the development of pollinator habitat in working lands. In this episode you’ll get an overview of NRCS programs, how landowners can access them and how, specifically, they can be used to improve habitat for pollinators.

187 - Mace Vaughn - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Pollinators

Pesticide applicators across the US needed to become certified and trained. In this episode we explore where this training requirement came from and how it applies to reducing exposure of pollinators to pesticides. 

186 - Dean Herzfeld - Where do pesticide applicators get their training?

Highbush blueberry is the largest pollinated crop in Oregon and one of the top crops in the US as a whole. Beekeepers report that their colonies can sometimes experience difficulties when pollinating this crop. In this episode we hear about how to keep bees healthy in blueberry production systems.

185 - Kathleen Law - Keeping Bees Safe During Blueberries

Lowbush blueberry growers in Atlantic Canada have been increasing bee habitat around their fields by encouraging existing plant communities. In this episode we learn how they do this and the incredible bees that pollinate this crop.  

184 - Steve Javorek - Bee Habitat in Lowbush Blueberry

With National Pollinator week next week, we caught up with staff at Pollinator Partnership (P2) to learn about what’s happening to celebrate the week, but also to catch up on growing P2 initiatives; Bee Friendly Farming and the Pollinator Stewards program. 

183 - Pollinator Partnership - National Pollinator Week (and Beyond)

Squash bees were never known to Oregon until a few years ago. This summer Oregonians may see the squash bee Peponapis pruinosa for the first time.  Learn about these bees and how to track them in the state on this episode.

182 - Miranda Jones - The Great Oregon Squash Bee Hunt

Raspberries are not nearly as difficult to pollinate as self-incompatible tree fruit or blueberries. But getting consistent fruit quality still requires finesse. In this episode we cover the pollination requirements of these berries, some of the bees that visit (and nest) in these crops and how to ensure a consistent level of pollination. 

181- Jim Cane - Pollination of raspberries and other caneberries

PolliNation is a podcast from Oregon State University Extension Service that tells the stories of researchers, land managers and concerned citizens who are making bold strides to improve the health of pollinators.

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