Pollinators in practice: Bee community diversity across seedless watermelon management systems

Pollinator-dependent crops, like seedless watermelon, rely heavily on bee-mediated pollen transfer for successful fruit development and marketability. However, conventional pest management practices, particularly prophylactic insecticide applications, can adversely impact bee populations. This study compares bee community diversity in seedless watermelon fields managed under conventional practices versus those using Integrated Pest and Pollinator Management (IPPM). Through systematic pollinator observations, we assessed the abundance, richness, and composition of bee communities visiting watermelon flowers across both field types. By examining how farming practices influence pollinator diversity, this research aims to inform more sustainable agricultural approaches that protect pollinator communities while supporting crop productivity.