PE 031b: Tomato: Phase 3 of an investigation into poor pollination performance by the native bumblebee, Bombus terrestris audax

• In 2014, Natural England withdrew permission to use non-native bumblebees, Bombus terrestris terrestris (Btt), in unscreened glasshouses and tomato growers must now use the native sub-species, Bombus terrestris audax (Bta) to pollinate crops. As a consequence, many growers have suffered substantial financial losses due to poor fruit set (e.g. up to £50k per hectare reported).
• In 2017, the British Tomato Growers’ Association (TGA) conducted an AHDB-funded survey PE 031 to determine the extent of the problem.
• Leading on from the survey, phase 2 PE 031a a 6 month practical investigation was commissioned which investigated Bta colony life and aspects of Bta behaviour in tomato crops as well a preliminary study of pollen production in small fruiting tomato cultivars.
• The current project, Phase 3 (PE 031b), will monitor many aspects of Bta biology and behaviour in tomato crops using new remote sensing equipment which allows researchers to record Bta within-hive and foraging activity in real time from their own laboratories. In addition, PE031b will quantify the effects of high temperature on pollen production and viability.

Aim: To reduce financial losses resulting from production deficit, increased labour and excessive hive input caused by the enforced change to Bombus terrestris audax for pollination of UK tomato crops. 

Objectives: 

• Monitor the activity of Bta hives in commercial crops and correlate changes in hive activity with crop management practice.
• Quantify the effects of high temperatures on within-hive bee behaviour, and pollen production and viability.
• Compare the activity levels of Bta with non-native Bt.