A new Agroscope factsheet offers tips on how to support ground-nesting wild bees on one’s own farm with relatively little effort. This will help boost the populations of the primary insect pollinators of agricultural crops.
The majority of the slightly less than 600 native wild-bee species nest underground, and are thus dependent on suitable ground nesting places. The remaining bee species nest above-ground, e.g. in hollow spaces. Supporting suitable nesting places in the ground is therefore beneficial for the majority of native wild bees, and helps to safeguard crop pollination.
Safeguarding pollination
Many ground-nesting wild bees as well as various species of sand bees, apex-furrowed bees and sweat bees, not to mention bumblebees, figure among the most important pollinators of agricultural crops as well as numerous wild plants. Despite this, around 45% of Switzerland’s native wild-bee species are deemed to be endangered. The decline in suitable flowering plants as food resources as well as the lack of suitable nesting options are thought to be the main reasons that wild bees – particularly ground-nesting species – are coming under pressure.
Tips in a new factsheet
There are numerous ways to support ground-nesting wild bees on the farm with relatively little effort. These range from the deliberate creation of nesting options, to the leaving in place of existing valuable nesting places and structures, to general support measures such as the planting of flower-rich habitats or flowering pastures, e.g. extensively used meadows or flower strips. These options are presented in detail in the factsheet.
