This module examines the most important insect pollinators and gives an insight into their taxonomy, biology and ecological role. The focus will be on bumble bees, solitary bees and honey bees. It will give you an understanding of the variation in their biology and provide you with knowledge of specific pollinator species. The module will also identify human activities that may improve or impair survival of pollinating insects. Emphasis is placed on the honey bee because of its importance, both as a honey producer and as a pollinator of cultivated crops. Beekeeping is described in some detail with practical demonstrations of management, and every student will have an opportunity to handle honeybee colonies in an apiary.
Apiary practical sessions will be arranged for groups of 10 at a time (protective clothing provided), depending on student and staff availability. The YouTube video project will also be arranged in small groups and will make use of student’s own mobile phone video recorders.
The lectures will be delivered by UCD staff as well as invited speakers, who will cover topics such as pollinator ecology (bumblebees, honey bees and solitary bees), pests and diseases of honeybees and other pollinators. These guest lecturers will come from backgrounds such as the National Biodiversity Data Centre, Crop Policy Production and Safety Division of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Teagasc Bee Disease Diagnostic Service at Oak Park and the Federation of Irish Beekeepers Associations.
Topics covered will include:
 Evolutionary history, biology and taxonomy of pollinating Hymenoptera;
 Evolution of sociality and the super-organism concept;
 Pollination biology and bee botany;
 The organisation of honey bee colonies including sex determination and reproduction;
 Threats to pollinating insects (including chemicals, parasites and diseases);
 The importance of beekeeping and beekeeping practices to human society – past and present;
 Practical apiculture (colony management/manipulation, honey production, colony reproduction, queen rearing);
 Products and ecosystem services of pollinators.