SYNTHETIC HONEY-BEE (HYMENOPTERA, APIDAE) QUEEN MANDIBULAR GLAND PHEROMONE APPLICATIONS AFFECT PEAR AND SWEET CHERRY POLLINATION

Synthetic honey bee queen mandibular pheromone, Fruit Boost, was applied to 'Anjou' pear, Pyrus communus I,., and 'Bing'-type sweet cherry trees, Prunus avium L., in bloom using air blast sprayers. In pear, the application of 1,000 queen equivalents of active ingredients per hectare resulted in a 7% increase in fruit size and a $400 per hectare net increase in income, although there were no significant increases in bee visits or fruit set in treated Versus untreated plots. Two consecutive pheromone applications were not significantly different than a single application. In cherry, sprays of 100 or 500 queen equivalents per hectare did not affect bee visits, fruit set, or fruit size. Our results show that applications of mandibular pheromone can enhance pollination in pear but not in sweet cherry.