Blueberry

Flower biology
The flower of blueberry (tall bush = Vaccinium corymbosum, V. ashei, low bush = V. angustifolium, V. myrtilloides) is bell-shaped, hermaphroditic and self-pollinating.
The flower produces nectar.
The pistil protrudes just beyond the corolla, so that both self-pollination and cross-pollination can occur. In a number of cases cross-pollination with pollen from another variety produces a better yield.
Pollen-collecting bumble bees hang on the flower upside down, holding on to it with their legs. They fasten their jaws onto the rim of the bell-shaped corolla and set the flower into vibration by activating their flight muscles (without spreading their wings). This is called buzz pollination. Light discolourations that can be seen on the rim of the bell after a few hours reveal that the flower has been visited by bumble bees.

NATUPOL hive

Because the blueberry flower produces ample nectar, the hive is supplied with just a small quantity of sugarwater.
TRIPOL is available for pollination in outdoor crops: three colonies in corrugated plastic box with temperature insulation. TRIPOL ensures optimal distribution and solid establishment of the colonies in the field.

Introduction schedule

In outdoor crops 2-3 TRIPOLs per hectare are necessary if no other pollinators are present.
On delivery, one TRIPOL consists of 350-400 worker bees and has a life expectancy of 6-8 weeks.
For pollination of blueberry in the greenhouse, E-colonies are used: 1 hive covers 750 m². For smaller areas, another type of hive may be suggested by your consultant.

Use instructions

Place the hive 0.5 to 1 meter above the ground, in a place that is protected against sun and condensation/rainwater. During the winter period, placement in the sun may be desirable. Do not place the hive among foliage!
TRIPOL should be placed on a sturdy support, about 50 cm above the ground; in spring in a sunny place, and afterwards in the shade.
Close the pollen supply inside each hive directly after receipt. Press the lid to close with the stick supplied for this purpose.
Secure the hive so that ants cannot enter it.
After placement of the hive, let the bumble bees settle down for a while (½ - 1 hour) before opening the flight hole.
If the crop is located in glasshouses or tunnels, open the flight hole of the hive when the ventilation windows are closed (at the end of the afternoon). This will prevent the bumble bees from going outside the glasshouse during their orientation flights and not returning to the hive.
Following their initial orientation flights the bumble bees will immediately start pollinating the crop.
In general, bumble bees are most active in the morning and in the afternoon. Their activity also depends on the flowering pattern of the crop.
Bumble bees are active at temperatures between 10 and 30 degrees Celsius. They function best at temperatures between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius.

Crop protection

Combining the use of bumble bees with natural enemies does not present any problems.
Agricultural chemicals may have direct or indirect effects on the bumble bees. Direct effects occur when worker bees and larvae die as a result of contact with or digestion of a chemical product, and indirect effects occur when the smell of the treated flower puts off the bumble bees, causing visits to stop.
Systemic pesticides (pesticides that are absorbed through the roots) often have a long-lasting residual effect. If a flower produces nectar in addition to pollen (e.g. sweet pepper), the damage to the bumble bee population may be much more serious than in a crop that only produces pollen (e.g. tomato).
You will find detailed information about persistence and compatibility of pesticides with bumblebees and most other beneficials in Koppert's Side Effects Database On-line.
In all cases the BEEHOME option of the hive must be activated before the crop is treated. This option ensures that bumble bees can enter, but not leave the hive. After about an hour the hive can be closed completely, so that it can either be covered or removed from the greenhouse.
If the hive is temporarily removed from the greenhouse, it should be stored at 18 to 20 degrees Celsius.