Beyond Bees: Emerging Roles of Non-Honeybee Pollinators in Agriculture
Vinayak Madarakhandi
*
Department of Entomology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad-580005, Karnataka, India.
Varshamrutha D Jepi
Department of Entomology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad-580005, Karnataka, India.
Divya D M
Department of Entomology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad-580005, Karnataka, India.
Naveen S
Department of Entomology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad-580005, Karnataka, India.
Abhishek V. Karadagi
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad-580005, Karnataka, India.
Sneha Kumari
Department of Biotechnology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad-580005, Karnataka, India.
R L Chavan
Department of Environmental Science, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad-580005, Karnataka, India.
Kishore S.M
Department of Entomology, Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga-577204, Karnataka, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Global agriculture has long depended on the managed European honeybee (Apis mellifera) for crop pollination, an ecosystem service valued at over €150 billion annually. However, increasing reports of honeybee population declines, coupled with the inherent risks of relying on a single pollinator species, have catalyzed a paradigm shift in pollination ecology. This review synthesizes recent peer-reviewed literature to illuminate the critical and often underestimated, roles of non-honeybee pollinators in sustaining agricultural productivity. We explore the diverse taxa contributing to crop pollination, including wild bees, hoverflies, moths, butterflies, beetles, birds and bats. Evidence demonstrates that these alternative pollinators are not merely supplementary but are often more efficient on a per-visit basis and can significantly enhance crop yield and quality, even in the presence of abundant honeybees. Furthermore, a high diversity of pollinators provides functional redundancy and resilience to agroecosystems against environmental change. We examine the economic implications of this biodiversity, the synergistic interactions between different pollinator groups and the urgent need for conservation strategies that extend beyond the hive. By integrating ecological knowledge with agricultural practice, policies can be developed to protect this natural capital, ensuring the stability of food production systems. This review underscores that the future of agricultural sustainability lies in recognizing and conserving the full spectrum of pollinating animals.
Keywords: Pollination, biodiversity, wild pollinators, agricultural sustainability, hoverflies, moths, ecosystem resilience, conservation policy