Honey bees were introduced and are not the only insects pollinating South Canterbury crops. Native bees and flies can also pollinate crops such as carrot, onion, brassica and clover seed crops. The main difference is management. Honey-bee hives can be moved onto a farm when a crop flowers, while native pollinators depend on suitable habitat already being there. Research in New Zealand shows unmanaged pollinators can make a major contribution, sometimes matching or exceeding honey bees in some crops.
