Pollination

Plant-pollinator-pathogen interactions

Plants are essential sources of pollinator nutrition, but petals, nectar, leaves, and other plant tissues can also be sites for the transmission of parasites, viruses, and other pathogens. Current research projects include assessing the temporal dynamics of Deformed Wing Virus transmission in plant-pollinator interaction networks and using innoculation assays and pathogen screens to understand which species can be infected by Crithidia bombi.

A meta-analysis of single-visit pollination effectiveness comparing honeybees and other floral visitors

In our analysis of 168 pollination effectiveness studies, we found that honey bees were less effective than the average bee and rarely the most effective pollinator of plants they visit.