1. Honey Bees, Blueberries, and Bee Protection in Florida
Jeanette Klopchin, M.S.
Pollinator Protection Specialist
Bureau of Scientific Evaluation and Technical Assistance
Division of Agricultural Environmental Services

2. Federal Action for Pollinator Protection
‘National Strategy to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators’
‘Protecting Pollinators from Exposure to Pesticides’
“Mitigating the effects of pesticides on bees is a high priority for the federal government, as both bee pollination and insect control are essential to the success of agriculture”

3. Pesticide Testing and Label Review
EPA
Label revisions and revised pollinator protection language
Rigorous tiered testing of pesticide toxicity to bees
Directed to engage with all states and tribal lands to develop Managed Pollinator Protection Plans

4. EPA Actions
‘Proposal to Mitigate Exposure to Bees from Acutely Toxic Pesticide Products’
new label restrictions proposed for 76 active ingredients;
‘for foliar applications of this product to sites with managed bees present under contract pollination services’ … ‘from onset of flowering until flowering is complete’
Managed Pollinator Protection Plans (MP3’s)
addresses all other scenarios: e.g. foraging bees in/nearby an application site, non-contract situations, protections afforded to native bee species, etc.
4,000 species of bees in the united states that are afforded no label protections.

5. Label Guidance
Interpretative guidance for pesticide products registered for use on blueberries in Florida that have labels that include bee statements – Spring 2016
Current Bee Statements, the ‘new’ EPA Bee Advisory Box, Proposed label language changes

6. Current labeling Acetamiprid- Assail 70WP
This product is toxic to bees exposed to direct treatment. Do not apply this product while bees are actively visiting the treatment site. Minimize spray drift to reduce harmful effects on bees in habitats close to application site.
FDACS: Statements in bold are enforceable. If it can be documented that bees are in the treatment area or in areas immediately adjacent to the treatment area then the pertinent statement is enforceable. The term “actively foraging” is used when a product does not display extended residual toxicity and may be applied if bees are not foraging in the treatment area at the time of application (e.g., at night). FDACS recommends that applicators document the status of bee forage activity and crop/weed bloom at the time of application.
Applied during bloom? Yes, but only if bees are not foraging the crop or weed at the time of application

7. Current Labeling Carbaryl Sevin XLR
Bee Caution: this product is highly toxic to honey bees and other bees exposed to direct treatment or residues on crops or weeds in bloom. This product may show residual toxicity to honey bees, especially in humid climates and under slow drying conditions. Notifying beekeepers within 1 mile of treatment area at least 48 hours before a product is applied will allow them to take additional steps to protect their bees. Limiting applications to times when bees are least active, e.g. within 2 hours of sunrise or sunset, will minimize risk to bees. For crops in bloom (except soybean and corn): Do not apply this product to target crops or weeds in bloom.
Small Fruits and berries: Bee caution: do not apply this product to target crops or weeds in bloom. If weed or cover crop bloom is present, mow orchard floor between rows prior to applying this product.
FDACS: Statements in bold are enforceable. If it can be documented that the crop or weeds are in bloom, then the statement is enforceable.
Applied during bloom? NO

8. New Bee Box: Imidacloprid – Admire Pro
This product is highly toxic to bees exposed to direct treatment or residues on blooming crops or weeds. Do not apply this product or allow it to drift to blooming crops or weeds if bees are foraging the treatment area. APPLICATION RESTRICTIONS exist for this product because of risk to bees and other insect pollinators. Follow application restrictions found in the directions for use to protect pollinators. Look for the bee hazard icon in the direction s for use for each application sire for specific use restrictions and instructions to protect bees and other insect pollinators. This product can kill bees and other insect pollinators. Bees and other insect pollinators will forage on plants when they flower, shed pollen, or produce nectar. Bees and other insect pollinators can be exposed to this pesticide from – direct contact during foliar applications, or contact with residues on plant surfaces after foliar applications – ingestion of residues in nectar and pollen when the pesticide is applied as a seed treatment, soil, tree injection, as well as foliar applications. When using this product take steps to – minimize exposure of this product to bees and other insect pollinators when they are foraging on pollinator attractive plants around the application site - minimize drift of this product on to beehives or to off-site pollinator attractive habitat can result in bee-kills.
For Crops Under Contracted Pollination Services: Do not apply this product while bees are foraging. Do not apply this product until flowering is complete and all petals have fallen unless the following condition has been met: If an application must be made when managed bees are at the treatment site, the beekeeper providing the pollination services must be notified no less than 48-hours prior to the time of the planned application so that the bees can be removed, covered or otherwise protected prior to spraying. .
Applied during bloom? Conditional

9. Proposed Labeling 76 active ingredients
Directions for use:
For foliar applications of this product to sites with bees on–site for commercial pollination service: foliar application of this product is prohibited from onset of flowering until flowering is complete when bees are on-site under contract, unless the application is made in association with a government-declared public health response. If site specific restrictions exist, then those restrictions must also be followed.
Schedule of review
Imidacloprid -
Clothianidin
Thiamethoxam
Dinotefuran
Acetamiprid
Risk assessment
Public comment
Potential pollinator mitigation
Remainder of risk assessment and public comments cont’d

10. Florida’s Managed Pollinator Protection Plan
Purpose: to establish a systematic and comprehensive plan that mitigates the risk of pesticides to bees and other pollinators while supporting both crop protection and insect pollination; and developed through open communication and coordination among key stakeholders; including beekeepers, growers, landowners, pesticide applicators, and pest control operators.
Targets
growers
beekeepers
applicators
public
beekeeping is a vital agricultural industry;
many crops depend on effective bee pollination
crops face devastating losses due to crop pests
pest control often requires the use of pesticides (along with IPM)
bees depend on the pollen and nectar the crops supply
their protection has been listed as a high priority national issue.

11. Minimize Risk of Pesticides
BMP’s include:
notifications
communication guidelines
contract templates
how to choose-bee safe products
application recommendations
adoption of IPM and crop advisors
hive and apiary identification
bee-smart management
bloom determination guidance
how to report and prevent bee-kills
3,500 beekeepers in Fl. 80% are hobbysist
Allowed to keep bees anywhere in florida.

12. GIS Mapping Link Interactive Communication Tool voluntary
beekeeper locations
grower hotspots (CHMA’s)
alternative bee forage
expansion, usability
increased participation

13. Forage and Habitat habitat creation and enhancement
roadside, right-of-way, and municipal property enhancement
pollinator friendly home gardens
hedgerows and vedges in agricultural land and roadways
alternative cover crops that provide bee forage

14. Honey Bees as Pollinators
generalists that forage in large numbers
carry a high percentage of donor pollen
full contact with a high percentage of receptive stigmas
visits pollen-donor and pollen-receiver flowers successively (i.e. effective cross-pollination)
works rapidly and for long duration
increases pollination, fruit set, and fruit quality

15. Pros & Cons of Honey Bees in Blueberry Pollination
familiar management
high stocking rate
readily available and reliable
easily moved within bloom period as needed
adjustable fees and contract obligations
not as efficient as native pollinators
prone to nectar robbing (damage to fruiting flowers)
may not work in cold or rainy conditions
limitations on insecticide usage during bloom

16. BEES
NO BEES

17. Pollination Notes
hive density in blueberry crops varies between 1.25 and 5 hives per acre
a general guide to honey bee population numbers in the crop is 2 bees per 3-5 ft of row is considered satisfactory
insect pollinated fruit has been found to mature days earlier and to be up to 50% larger, depending on the variety
fruit size has been found to be directly related to seed numbers with seed counts ranging between 3 and 75 per fruit

18. Hive Placement place hives in close proximity to flowering crops
higher number of bees visiting the crop
larger amount of pollen collected
increased crop yield
orientate hives so they are exposed to early morning sun and within a wind breaks
avoid low-lying ground
locate hives away from roadways, trafficked areas penned livestock, and irrigation

19. Notes on Weather and Forage
rain, wind, cloud cover, air temperature will affect honey bee foraging activity
little flight activity occurs below 50°F
during cool, wet periods, flight activity may be confined to about ft. from the hives
attractiveness of surrounding flora can be of major importance
increased pollen collection is believed to occur when colonies are fed sugar syrup; resulting from a rapid change in the behavior of individual foragers from collecting nectar to collecting pollen

20. Remember foraging energetics!
300 Ft.

21. Factors to Consider bloom period of the crop
presence and abundance of native bees
competing natural nectar sources
strength and location of bee hives
irrigation, freeze protection, and farm practices
grower’s experience

22. Stocking Recommendations:
the goal is to use the minimum hive density that provides a maximum crop yield
blueberry – 4 hives per acre (literature average)
honey bees average deposition of 1-10 pollen grains per flower visit (native bees 15 per visit or more)
rule of thumb for optimal pollination; six or more bees per plant at peak bee foraging hours (mid-afternoon)
when native bee densities are known, honey bee stocking densities are more effectively predicted; more native bees, less honey bees required

23. Competition increases coverage

24. Timing of Hive Placement
honey bees that are inexperienced at foraging generally perform best; a.k.a. new foragers are best at newly opened blueberry buds
hives should only be introduced the crop after it has begun flowering , at % bloom and remain until petals drop

25. Hive Strength Standards
hive inspections prior to or upon delivery
colony grading:
queen present
adult bees cover 6-10 frames
brood fills 4-6 frames
no uncontrolled diseases
sugar syrup supplement essential

26. Contract Pollination Notes
Blueberry growers who are considering introducing paid pollination into their management program are highly encouraged to use a pollination contract;
fee agreement per hive for hives of a pre-determined strength
schedule of delivery date and amount of time remain on the crop during bloom
plan to remove or move hives to allow emergency pesticide applications
additional liabilities, etc. (covered in sample pollination agreement)

27. The Beekeepers View Advantages: Disadvantages :
arranging the blueberry pollination job between honey production
using blueberry bloom as a time for build up and making splits
securing a blueberry honey crop in addition to the fee for pollination
Disadvantages :
conflict between pollination service and timing of other major honey flows
the adverse effects of overstocking an area on a colony (may be necessary to provide the maximum pollination)
damage to colonies by pesticides or burdens of moving due to pesticide applications

28. Sample Pollination Agreement
Sample Pollination Agreement

29. Online Resources Florida Bee Protection IFAS – EDIS docs
IFAS – EDIS docs
University of Maine Blueberry Fact Sheet

30. Upcoming Actions Grower survey
January 2016 via and state website
baseline data collection: current knowledge, perceptions, behavior, communications and needs related to pollinator and pesticide awareness

31. Thank You! www.FloridaBeeProtection.org
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(386) office