Université Laval
M.Sc. candidate
Supervisor: Valérie Fournier
Ève-Catherine Desjardins, Centre d'expérimentation et de développement en forêt boréale (CEDFOB)
Start: 2021-01-11
End: 2022-12-22

Project

Osmia tersula, an indigenous pollinator of the Côte-Nord region, as an alternative to commercial beehives for the pollination of fruit and greenhouse crops
Northern communities are reluctant to exotic pollinators introduction on their territory. It is of great interest to put in place pollination systems involving indigenous bees that will support communities in their desire to develop the agri-food sector without introducing exotic pollinators. Osmia tersula (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), a solitary bee well adapted to the Côte-Nord northern climate, demonstrates a great potential to serve as pollinator in greenhouse crops. Indeed, characteristics such as its potential to live in a closed environment, to withstand significant temperature differences and to live in groups allow to consider its use in greenhouse crops. The research project will help to document Osmia tersula biology, as well as its behavior in greenhouses and its ability to gather pollen from different plant species. Results should provide a local and effective alternative to commercial pollinators, in addition to the development of a breeding protocol and an introduction schedule for greenhouse crops.

Keywords

Pollinisation, Abeille sauvage, Cultures en serre