Entomology
Christell Guedot – fruit crops entomology and pollinator ecology researc
Claudio Gratton
Insect pollinators are vital to both natural and agricultural systems. Although the European honeybee is the most commonly managed pollinator in U.S. agricultural systems, wild bee species contribute to crop pollination as well. Native, wild bees are highly diverse, occur in many habitats, and are active throughout the growing season under a diversity of conditions. They also provide a pollination service to growers that is free of charge. The intensification of agricultural practices, herbicide and pesticide use, and the simplification of our landscapes have made life more difficult for honeybees and native pollinators. We have yet to fully understand how much native bees bolster crop yields in Wisconsin, or how certain management practices help or hurt their populations. To better understand these questions we partner with Wisconsin apple and cranberry growers, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
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