New Handbook Available For Managing Pollinators
March 6, 2012 
“Managing Alternative Pollinators: A Handbook for Beekeepers, Growers, and Conservationists, NRAES 186,” is a first-of-its kind, full-color guide for rearing and managing bumble bees, mason bees, leafcutter bees, and other alternatives to honey bee pollinators. The book features more than 130 color photos, 10 chapters, seven appendices, nest construction details, and parasite and disease management guidelines. Also included are 13 tables of useful information, a bibliography, and resources for further reading.
The book includes detailed information on each alternative pollinator’s biology and susceptibility to disease, pests, and chemicals. Sanitary practices to discourage diseases and parasites are reviewed. Matching pollinators to crops and deciding how best to pollinate are discussed. The book reviews the honey bee’s plight, the importance of rearing only local pollinators, and what can be done to protect pollinators.
The book also reviews the broad ecological issues affecting both managed and wild pollinators, and how to implement conservation practices to support them. Applying the knowledge will directly improve the quality of the food supply and aesthetics of our landscapes through pollination of fruits, nuts, vegetables, and flowers.
The book was written by Eric Mader, Pollinator Outreach Coordinator, The Xerces Society Pollinator Conservation Program; Marla Spivak, Professor of Entomology, University of Minnesota; and Elaine Evans, Author, “Befriending Bumble Bees.” It includes a forward by Mace Vaughan, Conservation Director, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
The book was produced with support from USDA’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program (SARE). For more information about SARE, visit www.sare.org. The book was published by Plant and Life Sciences Publishing (PALS), a program in the Department of Horticulture at Cornell University.
Growers can purchase “Managing Alternative Pollinators: A Handbook for Beekeepers, Growers, and Conservationists, NRAES-186,” on PALS’ secure Web site, www.nraes.org. For more information, call PALS at 607-255-7654, or email [email protected].