Bee Biology and Systematics Laboratory

The Pollinating Insects -- Biology, Management and Systematics Research Unit (PIRU) was founded in the late 1940s as part of the alfalfa seed production unit. We focus primarily on pollination research with bees.The mission of the Pollinating Insect - Biology, Management and Systematics Research Unit is the development of non-Apis bees, for example the alfalfa leafcutting bee and blue orchard bee, as crop pollinators. Research emphasis areas include the development and improvement of management systems for bee populations, biological studies of bees, plant-pollination systems, and bee biosystematics. Cross-pollinated crops not effectively pollinated by honey bees have been targeted for improved pollination management, and the candidacy of selected pollinator species continues to be evaluated. Current research on established species, like the alfalfa leafcutting bee and blue orchard bee, is directed toward developing control programs for pests and diseases, improving management that will result in better bee health and demonstrating pollination efficacy and increased producer profitability on "new" crops.传粉昆虫生物学、管理学与系统学研究组（Pollinating Insects -- Biology, Management and Systematics Research Unit, 简称PIRU）于20世纪40年代末成立，隶属于紫花苜蓿种子生产单元。本研究组的核心研究方向为蜜蜂传粉相关研究。 本研究组的使命为开发非蜜蜂属蜂类（non-Apis bees）——例如苜蓿切叶蜂（alfalfa leafcutting bee）与蓝果园蜂（blue orchard bee）——作为农作物传粉媒介。重点研究领域包括蜂群管理系统的开发与优化、蜂类生物学研究、植物-传粉者互作系统研究，以及蜂类生物系统学。 针对无法依靠西方蜜蜂实现高效传粉的异花授粉作物，本研究组致力于优化其传粉管理方案，并持续评估候选传粉蜂种的应用潜力。 当前针对苜蓿切叶蜂、蓝果园蜂等已规模化应用的蜂种的研究，主要聚焦于制定蜂类病虫害防控方案、优化管理策略以提升蜂群健康水平，以及验证其在"new"农作物上的传粉效果与种植者收益提升潜力。