Osmia lignaria Cresson, the Blue Orchard Bee (BOB), is in demand by pollination companies that supply non-Apis pollinators for orchard crops. Problems with establishment and reproduction of BOB within commercial orchards led us to explore the large floral resource of commercial meadowfoam (Limnanthes alba Hartw.) fields for rearing (“ranching ”) BOB for commercial sale. In meadowfoam, establishment of released BOB can still be a problem, but reproduction of established bees is high. The high reproduction may be due to the very short foraging trips required to collect pollen and nectar to provision brood cells. Natural enemies of O. lignaria need to be managed to reduce progeny infestation. Pollination of the meadowfoam crop itself does not appear to be enhanced through the activities of the BOB population densities tested to date.
Species 1: Hymenoptera Megachilidae Osmia lignaria (Blue Orchard Bee)
Species 2: Geraniales Limnanthaceae Limnanthes alba (meadowfoam)
Keywords: pollination, bee ranching
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