IPS specializes in what we call the "managed bees"; that is, bees
that exist and pollinate in a controlled fashion in man-made environments.
The most commonly used pollinators include the Alfalfa Leafcutting Bee,
the Alkali Bee, the Bumble Bee, the Blue Orchard Bee, and of course, the
Honeybee. Contemporary research is focused on a number of additional bees
which might prove to be viable managed pollinators in coming years. A key
criterion in the concept of "managed bees" is that they must be
readily available in large numbers either through purchase or lease.
There are over 20,000 species of bees in the world and several have been
developed as crop pollinators. While the Honeybee is still the "queen"
of the pollinators, non-Apis bees are becoming increasingly important
in agriculture. IPS specializes in working with these non-Apis bees. With
the theats that Africanized Bees and Varroa and tracheal mites represent
to the Honeybee industry, it is vital that we continue to develop the
non-Apis bees as crop pollinators.
IPS invites you to learn more about these "managed bees" and
the crops they pollinate.
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