POLLINATOR ACTIVITY AND ABIOTIC FACTORS IN AN APPLE ORCHARD

Abstract

The activity of native and domestic insect pollinators was studied for 3 consecutive years, during the blossom period in a semi-dwarf apple orchard of the Niagara Peninsula. Insect numbers and activity were correlated with apple cultivars (Empire, McIntosh, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious) located on the east and west slopes of the orchard and with temperature, humidity, and light intensity fluctuations. The physical factors, especially temperature, were mainly responsible for the variation in the numbers of honeybees. Factors such as cultivar, east and west slopes, and year were more significant for native pollinators. Native pollinators less affected by adverse conditions seem to compensate for reduced honeybee activity during unfavorable years.