Synthesis of highbush blueberry pollination research reveals region-specific differences in the contributions of honeybees and wild bees

Authors: EERAERTS, MAXIME - Michigan State University; DEVETTER, LISA - Washington State University; BATÁRY, PÉTER - Centre For Ecological Research, Institute Of Ecology And Botany; TERNEST, JOHN - University Of Florida; MALLINGER, RACHEL - University Of Florida; ARRINGTON, MATTHEW - Brigham Young University; BENJAMIN, FAYE - Rutgers University; BLAAUW, BRETT - Clemson University; Campbell, Joshua; CAVIGLIASSO, PABLO - Instituto Nacional Tecnologia Agropecuaria; DANIELS, JARET - University Of Florida; DE GROOT, G. ARJEN - Wageningen University; ELLIS, JAMIE - University Of Florida; GIBBS, JASON - University Of Manitoba; GOLDSTEIN, LAUREN - Michigan State University; HOFFMAN, GEORGE - Oregon State University; KLEIJN, DAVID - Wageningen University; MELATHOPOULOS, ANDONY - Oregon State University; MILLER, SHARRON - Michigan State University; MONTERO-CASTAÑO, ANA - University Of Guelph

Submitted to: Journal of Applied Ecology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/14/2023
Publication Date: 10/11/2023
Citation: Eeraerts, M., Devetter, L., Batáry, P., Ternest, J., Mallinger, R., Arrington, M., Benjamin, F., Blaauw, B., Campbell, J.W., Cavigliasso, P., Daniels, J., De Groot, G., Ellis, J., Gibbs, J., Goldstein, L., Hoffman, G., Kleijn, D., Melathopoulos, A., Miller, S., Montero-Castaño, A. 2023. Synthesis of highbush blueberry pollination research reveals region-specific differences in the contributions of honeybees and wild bees. Journal of Applied Ecology. 60:2528-2539. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14516.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14516

Interpretive Summary: Blueberry production has expanded worldwide in recent decades, increasing the need for understanding the pollination of this crop. Several insects, including the honey bee, are considered pollinators of blueberry. It is important to understand if insect pollination is limiting current blueberry production and which insect species contribute to pollination in different production regions. Here, we summarize the geographic distribution of blueberry research, the abundance of different pollinator taxa, and their relative pollination contributions. These data highlight many areas for future research to better understand blueberry pollination on a global scale.

Technical Abstract: Highbush blueberry production has expanded worldwide in recent decades, increasing the need for pollination of this crop. To safeguard future yields, it is essential to understand if insect pollination is limiting current blueberry production and which insect species contribute to pollination in different production regions. We present a systematic review including a set of meta-analyses on insect-mediated pollination in highbush blueberry. We summarizes the geographic distribution of research, the abundance of different pollinator taxa, and their relative pollination contributions. Using raw data from 21 studies, totaling 496 site replicates, we determined the degree of pollination service and pollen limitation, as well as the contribution of honeybees and wild bees to pollination. Most studies originate from North America, focusing on a couple of cultivars each. Honeybees are the dominant pollinator. Wild bees are occasionally abundant. Wild bees are more efficient pollinators on a single-visit basis compared to honeybees, which increases their relative pollination contribution compared to their relative abundance. Insect-mediated pollination services increased blueberry fruit set, berry weight, and seed set by 64.8%, 75.9% and 75.2%, respectively. We often detected pollen limitation, indicated by an increase in fruit set, berry number and seed set by 10.1%, 18.2% and 21.5%, respectively, with additional manual pollination. Increasing visitation of honeybees and wild bees contributed to blueberry pollination by increasing fruit set by 5.4% and 3.5%, berry weight by 6.5% and 2.8%, and seed set by 6.4% and 3.8%, respectively. Honeybee and wild bee contributions to fruit set and berry weight were variable across regions. Synthesis and application: A diverse community of insects, primarily bees, contributes to highbush blueberry pollination and yield. However, pollination deficits are common. The finding that both honeybees and wild bees enhance pollination highlights the possibility of adopting different management strategies that utilize honeybees, wild bees, or both depending on the specific context and region. Our synthesis highlights many areas for future research to better understand the pollination contribution of different pollinators to crops that expand globally.