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einfach besser Landwirtschaften

25/01/2024

The perfect pollination mix

At first glance, they seem so similar, yet so different. The following table shows the differences between these three insect species in their pollination activity. Learn why it can be quite beneficial to use a combination of mason bees, bumblebees, and honey bees to pollinate fruit crops. 

You can find all products on this topic here: pollination

honey bee
Mason bee
(Osmia bicornis und Osmia cornuta)
bumblebee
(Bubble BOOST)

  • versatile (various flowering cultures are attractive to them)
  • Flight activity: from 12°C
  • very flower-steady (quickly learn to prefer one type of flower)
  • 3,000 – 4,000 flowers/day per bee
  • long activity from April to August
  • more susceptible to disease
  • relatively high demand for knowledge and time
  • Susceptible to competing flowers (tend to quickly accept more attractive flowering plants)
  • approx. 3km collection radius and 10km flight radius

  • versatile (various flowering cultures are attractive to them)
  • Flight activity from 8°C 
  • solitary lifestyle (hermit bees: build their brood and care for offspring alone)
  • high cross-pollination (positive effect on genetic diversity, taste, ... and yield of the plants)
  • 8,000 flowers/day per bee
  • 4-6 weeks of activity
  • rather easy to care for
  • Pollen is collected on the abdomen (more efficient type of pollination, as there is a higher probability of fertilization per approach)
  • Breeding with little time investment
  • hardly susceptible to competitive costumes
  • If the flowering is good, the collection radius is about 50 - 100m around the nest box

  • versatile (various flowering cultures are attractive to them)
  • Flight activity from 8°C
  • somewhat flower-steady
  • 5,000 - 6,000 flowers/day and bumblebee
  • Activity approx. 7 - 8 weeks
  • easy-care
  • Vibration pollinator (with muscles) little time required