Pollinators such as wild bees and hoverflies have significantly declined in number over the past 30 years. This alarming trend poses a serious threat to our ecosystem. Dümmen Orange and Naturalis develop a method to test and breed plants for insect-friendliness.
We examine factors such as nectar volume, sugar concentration, number of flowers, and color. The combinations and variations of these traits determine whether a plant is attractive to insects.
Bees and other insects are becoming increasingly dependent on garden plants. However, not all crops – and certainly not all varieties within a crop – are attractive to insects. In our industry, crops are sometimes promoted as insect-friendly without being properly tested.
Knowing what makes bees happy
Together with Naturalis, we have conducted experiments with our selections and developed a method to specifically test and breed for insect-friendliness. We examine factors such as nectar volume, sugar concentration, number of flowers, and color. The combinations and variations of these traits determine whether a plant is attractive to insects. We routinely test our perennial plants for their attractiveness to bees before they hit the market. In fact, we select them early in the process for their insect-friendliness.
Thanks to the developed method, we know what makes bees happy and which plants are truly insect-friendly. We share this information with retailers, who in turn can better inform consumers.
With the insights developed in collaboration with Naturalis, we can offer more varieties and crops that attract super pollinators in the long term. And that benefits us all.