Effectiveness bees in the of honey bees pollination of red clover

Abstract

In February 1954 and again in February 1955, 35 hives of honey bees were placed immediately adjacent to 10 acres of Montgomery red clover (Trifolium pratense) growing in an area considered to be favourable to bumble bees. Insect activity was noted and it was computed that honey bees provided 77% of the effective pollinating insects in 1954 and 89% in 1955. Spot checks made at several different points showed this to be a fair cross-section of insect activity on red-clover crops in South Canterbury.