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Dissertation: "Enhancing Native Pollinators of Watermelon Agroecosystems in South Carolina"

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 I conducted research at Clemson's Coastal Research and Education Center, the USDA Vegetable Laboratory, and several small watermelon farms throughout the state of SC.

 

My research explored how to enhance agro-ecosystems to attract and support native pollinator populations. I implemented a commonly suggested method of increasing pollinator diversity and abundance in agricultural fields: wildflower strips. The wildflower strips increase the floral diversity and therefore food resources for pollinators (as well as predatory insects) on watermelon fields. Previous research had shown that native bees can provide sufficient pollination services without the need for domesticated honey bees for watermelon crops if certain landscape conditions on the farm are met.

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In my study we collected over 3,000 specimens that were identified to species and made thousands of observations to quantify visitation and pollination services received by watermelon crops with and without the presence of wildflower strips. We found that over 50 species of wild pollinators visit watermelon flowers in South Carolina, most of which are wild bees from 4 families (Halictidae, Colletidae, Apidae, Megachilidae). We found that fields with wildflowers had higher species richness and more rare/indicator/specialist species than fields without wildflowers. Our findings suggest that the addition of wildflower strips to watermelon fields is a relatively inexpensive and effective method of native pollinator conservation.

 

Media coverage

• Clemson media services 2019

• Clemson media services 2016

• ATTRA

• Vegetable Growers Network

• Vegetable and Specialty Crop News

 

Podcast: Episode 55 of the PolliNation Podcast from June 4, 2018.

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