Scientists look to the humble fly to ease honey bee burden

As beekeepers count their losses from devastating bushfires, scientists are trialling the use of another hairy insect to help pollinate fruit, vegetable and nut crops.

Scientists are hoping hover flies can be used alongside honeybees as industrious crop pollinators. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

AS AUSTRALIA’S beekeeping industry continues to tally hive losses in the wake of recent bushfires, scientists are trialling the use of flies to pollinate fruit, nut and vegetable crops to help ease pressure on honeybees and their keepers.

Early estimates of hive losses in the bushfires have exceeded 10,200, and it’s a figure the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council predicts will climb as more beekeepers continue to report casualties.

The losses so far are enough to spark fear in Australia’s booming almond industry, which is wholly reliant on bees for pollination.

Fortunately, the foresight of scientists and industry body Hort Innovation hopes to pay off with a trial already under way assessing the ability of flies to pollinate avocado and mango crops.

Researchers are looking at hairy flies that can easily attach pollen to their bodies and energetic species such as the hoverfly that can travel long distances.

The three-year trial will be conducted at five sites, with flies mass reared and tested pollinating crops at different times of day and in different weather conditions.

“Flies make ideal pollinator candidates because they are present year-round and regularly visit flowers seeking sugar from the nectar,” said Hort Innovation research and development manager Alison Anderson.

“This project has the potential to extend to protected cropping such as tunnel houses and glasshouses.”

Last year more than 200,000 hives were needed to produce a record almond crop of about 93,000 tonnes.

Almond Board of Australia chief executive Ross Skinner said the industry supported trialling flies as pollinators.

“It’s good risk management, particularly if Australia’s European honey bee population is exposed to varroa destructor,” Mr Skinner said.