MALE-FERTILE POTATO FLOWERS ARE SELECTIVELY BUZZ-POLLINATED ONLY BY BOMBUS-TERRICOLA KIRBY IN UPSTATE NEW-YORK

Bombus terricola was the only pollinator of certified seed potatoes at four locations in the northern Adirondack Mountains, although seven o ther bumble bee species were present. Varieties yielding stainable, fe rtile pollen were preferred. Foragers sonicated 12-21 flowers per minu te. Potatoes are also pollinated exclusively by bumble bees in central Europe, the Andes, the Himalayas, and the North American Great Lakes region. The conservation and management of selected bumble bee species are recommended, to ensure cross-pollination in potato fields.