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An immunomarking method to determine the foraging patterns of Osmia cornifrons and resulting fruit set in a cherry orchard

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Abstract

The foraging patterns of Osmia cornifrons (Radoszkowski) (Megachilidae, Hymenoptera) were determined with an immunomarking method and correlated with fruit set in a commercial tart cherry orchard in Pennsylvania. Adults of O. cornifrons were self-marked with chicken egg-white protein powder from a dispenser nest box placed at the center of the study orchard at early bloom. Flower samples were collected from randomly selected trees (n = 30) located at different distances from the nest box. Flowers were analyzed for the presence of immunomarker protein with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Foraging patterns were determined by measuring the distance and direction of marked flowers from the nest box. While marked flowers were found out to 55 m (maximum distance sampled), most marked flowers were found within 35 m from the nest and the percentage of marked flowers declined rapidly beyond that distance. Fruit density per limb cross-sectional area (cm2) in the study orchard was significantly higher than in the orchard without O. cornifrons, indicating the value of O. cornifrons as pollinators in increasing fruit yield in tart cherries.

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Acknowledgments

The authors sincerely thank the USDA NIFA for a SCRI grant on sustainable fruit pollination (PEN04398) and the State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania for their financial support of this study. The authors also thank Kathy Wholaver, Edwin Winzeler, Amanda Ritz, Maryann Frazier, and numerous summer interns/assistants for their help in conducting this study, Doug Lott for the use of the commercial orchard, and several anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments on a previous draft of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fruit Research and Extension Center, Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, 290 University Dr, Biglerville, 17307, PA, USA

    David J. Biddinger, Neelendra K. Joshi & Cassandra Pulig

  2. Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, 501 ASI Building, University Park, 16802, PA, USA

    David J. Biddinger, Neelendra K. Joshi & Edwin G. Rajotte

  3. Fruit Research and Extension Center, Plant Pathology, Pennsylvania State University, 290 University Dr, Biglerville, 17307, PA, USA

    Noemi O. Halbrendt

  4. Department of Geography and Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, 16802, PA, USA

    Kusum J. Naithani

  5. Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, 628 NE Broadway Ste 200, Portland, 97232, OR, USA

    Mace Vaughan

Authors
  1. David J. Biddinger
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  2. Neelendra K. Joshi
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  3. Edwin G. Rajotte
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  4. Noemi O. Halbrendt
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  5. Cassandra Pulig
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  6. Kusum J. Naithani
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  7. Mace Vaughan
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to David J. Biddinger or Neelendra K. Joshi.

Additional information

Manuscript editor: Peter Rosenkranz

Technique d’immunomarquage pour déterminer les modes d’approvisionnement d’ Osmia cornifrons et la production de fruits en résultant, dans un verger de cerisiers

Technique de marquage / approvisionnement / processus d’auto-marquage / pollinisation/ guêpe maçonne / pollinisateur

Eine Immuno-Markierungsmethode zur Bestimmung des Sammelverhaltens von Osmia cornifrons und der daraus resultierende Fruchtansatz in einer Kirschplantage

Immunomarkierzng / Sammelverhalten / Osmia cornifrons / Selbst-Markierung / Bestäubung / Bestäuber

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Biddinger, D.J., Joshi, N.K., Rajotte, E.G. et al. An immunomarking method to determine the foraging patterns of Osmia cornifrons and resulting fruit set in a cherry orchard. Apidologie 44, 738–749 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-013-0221-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-013-0221-x

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