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<p>Although artificial nesting substrates are increasingly used to support wild bee populations in agricultural landscapes, yet little is known about the spontaneous colonisation of such nests in Mediterranean orchards. This study evaluated the nesting behaviour of wild <i>Osmia</i> populations in apple, pear, and cherry orchards in Portugal, focusing particularly on how nest features and landscape structure influence colonisation patterns. Over two years, <i>Osmia caerulescens</i> was the most abundant species, followed by <i>O. bicornis</i>. Overall occupancy rates were low across all orchard types, although higher colonisation was observed in cherry orchards, likely due to earlier flowering and greater habitat heterogeneity. In apple and pear orchards, both species preferred paper tubes: <i>O. caerulescens</i> nested mainly in 6&#xa0;mm cavities, whereas <i>O. bicornis</i> favoured 8&#xa0;mm cavities and was most abundant in apple orchards. Brood viability was lower in <i>O. caerulescens</i>, particularly in pine wood blocks. At the landscape scale, the success of the nests of both species was positively associated with the proportion of non-irrigated arable land and fruit tree cover within a radius of 500&#xa0;m. <i>O. caerulescens</i> also responded positively to land-use diversity, whereas <i>O. bicornis</i> favoured more urbanised orchard contexts. Despite the low colonisation rates observed, identifying <i>O. caerulescens</i> and <i>O. bicornis</i> as the main trap nesting species highlights their potential as targets for future management programmes. Paper tubes performed best under the tested conditions, but broader trials are needed. Improving habitat quality in orchards is essential for supporting wild bee populations.</p>

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Supporting wild Osmia populations in Mediterranean orchards: nesting success across different substrates and landscapes

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年6月14日

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  • Miguel Azevedo,
  • Elisabete Figueiredo,
  • Rafael Carvalho,
  • Maria Teresa Rebelo

摘要

Although artificial nesting substrates are increasingly used to support wild bee populations in agricultural landscapes, yet little is known about the spontaneous colonisation of such nests in Mediterranean orchards. This study evaluated the nesting behaviour of wild Osmia populations in apple, pear, and cherry orchards in Portugal, focusing particularly on how nest features and landscape structure influence colonisation patterns. Over two years, Osmia caerulescens was the most abundant species, followed by O. bicornis. Overall occupancy rates were low across all orchard types, although higher colonisation was observed in cherry orchards, likely due to earlier flowering and greater habitat heterogeneity. In apple and pear orchards, both species preferred paper tubes: O. caerulescens nested mainly in 6 mm cavities, whereas O. bicornis favoured 8 mm cavities and was most abundant in apple orchards. Brood viability was lower in O. caerulescens, particularly in pine wood blocks. At the landscape scale, the success of the nests of both species was positively associated with the proportion of non-irrigated arable land and fruit tree cover within a radius of 500 m. O. caerulescens also responded positively to land-use diversity, whereas O. bicornis favoured more urbanised orchard contexts. Despite the low colonisation rates observed, identifying O. caerulescens and O. bicornis as the main trap nesting species highlights their potential as targets for future management programmes. Paper tubes performed best under the tested conditions, but broader trials are needed. Improving habitat quality in orchards is essential for supporting wild bee populations.