What’s the buzz in Virginia cucurbits: Three trapping methods to survey pollinators

Curcurbit production requires insect pollination services to produce viable fruit. In Virginia, we looked at the pollinators of summer squash (Cucurbita pepo cv. Lioness) and pumpkins (C. pepo cv. Kratos, cv. Mistic Plus, cv. Magic Wand). In 2018, pumpkins accounted for over $10 million in sales in Virginia. Some producers introduce pollinators such as Bombus impatiens Cresson [Hymenoptera: Apidae] and Apis mellifera L. [Hymenoptera: Apidae], to their systems to ensure pollination. Renting honey bee hives in VA can cost up to $75/hive for the 2020 season. After review of recent studies, we anticipated that bumble bees and honey bees would be the primary pollinators in cucurbits. Our objective was to observe the pollinators in cucurbits in VA. Our study looked at the pollinators found in both a commercial pumpkin field with hired honey bees, and a small plot research farm, growing summer squash. We tested three sampling strategies: visual observations for 45 seconds/ square meter; vacuum sampling; and bee bowl traps in blue, yellow, and white. These efforts yielded 1004 pollinator records that were then classified into morpho taxa. 65% of recorded pollinators from the 2020 season were found to be squash bee, (Eucera pruinosa Dorchin [Hymenoptera: Apidae]). Our second most observed morphotaxa accounting for 15% of collected specimens was small black bees (predicted to be Halictidae). Lastly, 8% of recorded pollinators were found to be honey bees. Through our preliminary records we have seen unmanaged bees play a large role in VA cucurbit production.