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New pollination opportunities using lucerne leafcutting bees

The lucerne leafcutting bee (Megachile rotundata) s the foundation of a multi-million dollar pollination industry in North America, not only for lucerne (Medicago sativa) but a range of other crops.  They were introduced into NZ in the 1970s and 80s but the research being done was lost by the breakup of DSIR.  However, Dr Barry Donovan has recently resurrected the bees and they once again offer significant benefit to NZ agriculture and horticulture and a potentially lucrative new business.  (more)