Pollinator nursery apparatus and methods

A nursery habitat for flying pollinators has an axially-elongated tubular case and a multiplicity of elongated tubes. The case extends between a first end and a second end and defines an axially-elongated hollow tunnel, wherein at least one of the first end or the second end is provided with an opening. The tubes extending between a front end and a back end wherein at least the front end is open. The multiplicity of elongated tubes is disposed in closely-spaced packing inside the tunnel of the case with the open front ends of the tubes being accessible to flying pollinators through the opening in the case.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to pollinator culture (eg., bee culture) and, more particularly, to nursery habitats for solitary pollinators:—predominantly, solitary (eg, non-honey producing) bees as well as wasps and other insects (eg., butterflies, beetles and so on).

“You're Worrying About the Wrong Bees” is the title of an online article reciting:Honey bees will be fine. They are a globally distributed, domesticated animal.Apis melliferawill not go extinct, and the species is not remotely threatened with extinction.The bees you should be concerned about are the 3,999 other bee species living in North America, most of which are solitary, stingless, ground-nesting bees you've never heard of . . . .
By Gwen Pearson, dated Apr. 29, 2015, and accessed online on Dec. 13, 2019, at https://www.wired.com/2015/04/youre-worrying-wrong-bees/.

The inventors hereof are a father and daughter team. They are hobbyists, and avid ones at that. The following information is derived from their literature study and personal experience, and is believed to be fairly conventional information.

The visitors to their nursery habitats in accordance with their invention(s) are predominantly leaf cutter bees and mason bees. In the bee and wasp world, the following groups of pollinators are not expected to use the nursery habitats in accordance with their invention because of those pollinators' own hive-forming or nest-forming proclivities. These would include honey bees (with colonies of 20,000 to 80,000 bees), bumble bees (with nests of ˜400 bees), burrowing as well as paper-nest building hornets and so on. There is a group of hive-forming, honey-producing bees formally referred to as “stingless bees,” but these are not encountered at the inventors' relatively northern latitude.

What's left are called “solitary bees,” or solitary pollinators here. Again, leaf cutter and mason bees are what have been most commonly seen. Carpenter bees and other pollinators are welcome but evidently are not as interested.

The term “solitary” here signifies being “solitary” only as much so as, for example, the birds purple martins. Every female solitary bee is fertile and has her own nest, but solitary bees will nest in clusters in fairly dense proximity to each other. The nursery habitats in accordance with the invention are formed of dozens of horizontal straws (or tubes) fairly tightly packed close together to mimic the cell structure of a honey comb.

Each female bee will take possession of one tube at a time. She lays a series of eggs in the tube axially-spaced apart. She begins at the front of the tube laying male eggs and proceeds to the back of the tube finishing up with female eggs, laying 7 to 10 or so eggs total, given sufficient length of tube. She will then come back and stockpile each egg with a food cache. She will then also build a cell enclosing each egg and food cache. Leaf cutter bees are known for cutting leafs or petals to build their nests. Mason bees are known for using mud or other “masonry” products to build theirs.

Thus begins a new generation. The time of year this happens is spring, perhaps continuing into early summer. Leaf cutter bees might produce 2-3 generations over a summer. Mason bees most familiar to the inventors have an annual life cycle and are believed to produce only 1 generation over a summer.

Female mason bees are active only for a couple of weeks or so in the Spring. Their nest-building activity might require one hundred trips (more or less) back and forth to the tube for stockpiling the food caches and building the cells. The tube entrance is ultimately plugged. After that, the mason bee eggs are on their own. The adult mason bees cease being active in May or so.

In not too long of time (days, perhaps weeks), larvae hatch from the eggs of the mason bees. In a matter of a number of further weeks, the larvae will have consumed their food cache and begin spinning a cocoon. It is believed that they overwinter as a pupa in a cocoon. Springtime and warming temperatures see the emergence of the adults, and the cycle repeats.

For the life cycle to complete itself, the larva has to survive, the food cache cannot be raided, and then the pupa has to survive. But there are many threats. There are predators like woodpeckers and parasitic wasps. There are biologic threats like mites, parasites and mold. There are weather threats, like wind or vibration breaching the structural integrity of the nests. And then there are just other pests like squirrels gnawing at or otherwise damaging the structure for no real reason in the connection with food collection.

It is an object of the invention to provide nursery habitats that lend to being used in ways which improves the chances of successful completion of the life cycle.

A number of additional features and objects will be apparent in connection with the following discussion of the preferred embodiments and examples with reference to the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 through 7show a pollinator nursery habitat100in accordance with the invention. The pollinator nursery habitat100is a single unit or pod having an exterior case102of corrugated fiber board (also known by other names including without limitation cardboard). The case102is formed into an elongated tunnel that extends between an open end104and a closed end106. This tunnel (receives and) contains a core108comprising a multiplicity of elongated small-diameter paper tubes110(eg., straws) packed fairly close together. The tubes110are open at both ends112and114but since the back ends112of the tubes110back up against the closed end106of the case102, the tubes110are essentially closed-ended at their back ends112proximate the closed end106of the case102. Correspondingly, the tubes110are essentially open-ended at their front ends114because their front ends114face the open end104of the case102.

The tubes110serve as the nest sites for the pollinators. As mentioned previously, leaf cutter and mason bee pollinators will lay seven to ten or so eggs in a tube110, axially spaced apart, if the tubes110are sufficiently long. It is believed that the tubes110should be no less than six inches (˜fifteen cm) long and further that, there are no diminishing returns if the tubes110are longer, even much longer. The inventors hereof prefer about eight inches (˜twenty cm) long.

The tubes110are provided in a variety of different diameters. The inventors hereof prefer an array of four different diameters, namely, nominally six, eight, ten and twelve millimeter diameters respectfully. A sample core108might comprise for example and without limitation:—twenty of the six millimeter tubes;fifteen of the eight millimeter tubes;twelve of the ten millimeter tubes; andten of the twelve millimeter tubes.

FIGS. 18 and 19show better the production of a sample core108. The core108is originally produced in a flat configuration on an outstretched web116. The web116preferably produced from corrugated fiber board stock material, as is the case102. However, the case102is preferably produced of the double-sided liner board variety of corrugated fiber board while the web116is preferably produced of single-sided liner board corrugated fiber board,

The double-sided liner board variety of corrugated fiber board has inherent insulating properties, because of the trapped air, and which inherent insulating properties should help keep the bees safer during inclement weather.

FIG. 18shows the multiplicity of tubes110laid out on the web116preferably on the liner board side (eg., corrugated side is down) and side-by-side in the manner of stakes in a palisade stakewall. The paper tubes110(straws) can be installed in a loose fashion. But preferably the tubes110are lightly adhered to the web116to keep their position during the rolling up of the web116and tubes110into the generally cylindrical coil core108shown inFIG. 19. The open front ends114of the tubes110are closely packed. But given that the tubes110are provided in a variety of diameters, and further given that the core108is produced in a coil, there is no exact packing pattern of the tubes110, such as a perfect (or nearly so) face-centered pattern or the like.

Nevertheless, the tubes110are relatively densely packed together, even if not perfectly so in a face-centered arrangement. Experience shows that different bee species will use different tubes110in the same core108. Evidently the different bee species are not too concerned about neighbors.

Plus, as the season goes on, later visitors possibly do not know who their neighbors are in earlier-plugged tubes110. While the inventors can at least determine a little bit of that information by plug material (eg., leaf material for leaf cutter bees vs. “masonry” material for mason bees), it is not known what the bees actually know, or care about.

The light adhesive preferably is chosen with the same last-result in mind for the case102as for the tubes110. Which is, that the pollinator nursery habitat100in accordance with the invention is used for one season and then disposed in the manner of being added to a compost pile to compost away.

The center of the core108is adorned with an artificial flower118. Tissue paper is preferred, and colors closer to the ultra-violet fringe of the visible spectrum (or just inside in the near ultra-violet range) are further preferred. Namely, this would be various hues of purple, violet, blues, pinks and so on. These artificial flowers118are believed to serve as visual attractants and perhaps also serve as navigational cues for the mother bee to find over and over again her tube110while building her nest.

The open end104of the case102is preferably provided with a wire grill120(or less preferably so, a plastic screen) barrier. The grill120probably won't save the eggs in any tube110closest to the open end104of the case102from a determined woodpecker or the like. But the grill120should prevent a woodpecker from going to far down the length of the tube110and thus help protect the eggs further from the open end104. It is noted that the male eggs are closest to the open end104of the case102(open front ends114of the tubes110) and the female eggs furthest. Hence the population overall is not as hurt by some predation of the male eggs in contrast to the relatively higher value female eggs.

To turn toFIG. 7, it is a layout view of the case102flat, prior to folding and assembly, as produced from flat corrugated fiberboard stock material.FIG. 7shows cut lines, slit lines, fold lines, perforation lines as well as punched apertures (eg., which are round holes here).

The layout comprises four inboard panels121-124which will form the four exterior sidewalls for the case102. From top to bottom, there is a first inboard panel121, second inboard panel122, third inboard panel123and fourth inboard panel124. There is also a fifth inboard panel125on top of the fourth inboard panel124.

There is one common edge126along the left side (left inFIG. 7) of all five inboard panels121-125that will form the periphery of the closed end106of the case102. On the opposite side of the inboard panels121-125, there is another common edge127that will form the periphery of the open end104of the case102.

The respective portions of the closed-end edge126for the first, second and third inboard panels121-123are simultaneously fold lines. Likewise, the respective portions of the open-end edge127for the first, second and third inboard panels121-123are also simultaneously fold lines.

The first inboard panel121and the fifth inboard panel have lateral free edges128. All other meeting lines between the panels121-125are fold lines.

The fifth inboard panel125serves as an overlap strip which overlaps either on the inside (or outside) margin of the free edge128of the first inboard panel121. This can be seen at the bottom inFIG. 3by the depiction of a double ply arrangement of corrugated fiber board, one ply being the first inboard panel121and the other ply being the fifth inboard panel125. The fifth inboard panel125will be adjoined to the inside (or outside) margin of the free edge128of the first inboard panel121(adhesively or by mechanical fastening) so that the case102holds its rectangular tunnel shape.

Starting with the closed-end edge126, it has one flap131extending from the second inboard panel122that serves as the closure for the closed end106, and this closure flap131further has an overlap strip132for overlapping onto the margin of the portion of the closed-end edge126of the fourth inboard panel124. The overlap strip132for the closure flap131will be adjoined to the margin of the closed-end edge26the fourth inboard panel124adhesively or by mechanical fastening and the like.

The two permanently fastened overlap strips125and132mentioned so far hold the case102in a rigid tunnel shape with a square cross-section.

WhereasFIGS. 1 through 7show a case102configured in a rectangular box shape having a square cross-section, for comparison,FIGS. 8 through 20show cases102A configured in a box shape having a hexagonal cross-section. Cylindrical and/or ovoid cross-section shapes are not excluded. But with regard to polygonal cross-section shapes, any polygonal shape can be chosen. It's just recognized that, a box shape with an equilateral triangular cross-section (not shown) serves better for providing a steeply peaked roof, but has more void space in the three vertices surrounding the generally cylindrical core108. Whereas a box shape having a hexagonal cross-section (eg., case102A) has an interior which more closely conforms to the generally cylindrical core108, but more poorly presents a rain-shedding peak for a roof as that any peak would be shallower.

Hence theFIGS. 1-7shape showing a case102configured in a rectangular box shape with a square cross-section is preferred for stand-alone exposure to rain, with one corner oriented up to serve as a rain-shedding peak for a roof. In contrast, theFIGS. 8-20shapes showing cases102A configured in a box shape having a hexagonal cross-section are chosen for deposit in the multi-unit shelter150therefor, where the shelter150provides a roof152with a peak.

Returning back toFIG. 7, one flap133and another flap133extending from the closed-end edge of the first inboard panel121and third inboard panel123, respectively, serve as mounting flanges133, as shown inFIG. 1.

Attention can now be given to the flaps extending from the portions of the open-end edge127of the first, second and third inboard panels121,122and123. The flap134extending from the second inboard panel122serves as a temporary closure for the time being that the case102serves a shipping container as shown inFIG. 6. So one manner of use of the pollinator nursery habitat100in accordance with the invention is that it is purchased (or obtained) by remote users who receive it in the U.S. Mail or by other courier/carrier service. After receipt, the user completes some light assembly to render the pollinator nursery habitat100into a use configuration as shown byFIG. 1.

Hence the temporary closure flap134extending from the open-end edge127of the second inboard panel122terminates in an overlap strip135for temporary fastening to the a margin of the portion of the open-end edge127of the fourth inboard panel124. The folding and fastening of the overlap strip135can be seen in comparingFIG. 5toFIG. 6.

The temporary closure flap134furthermore has a perforated score line136running across it intermediate its overlap strip135and its fold line with the second inboard panel122, which fold line is the second inboard panel122's portion of the open-end edge127. The purpose of this perforated score line136will be described below, just in about a few paragraphs from here.

The portions of the open-end edge127of the first and third inboard panels121and123further have abbreviated flaps137and138, respectively. These flaps137and138might or might not overlap with each other when the case102is folded up in the shipping configuration ofFIG. 6. It is preferred that the flaps137and138do not actually overlap, but just come close to touching.

The following discussion comparesFIG. 7toFIG. 4, so it is probably helpful to study both illustrations side-by-side. The second and third inboard panels122and123are intended to serve as the roof of the case102and the fold line139between the second and third inboard panels122and123is intended to serve as the peak.

The holes141along the fold line142between the fourth and fifth inboard panels124and125serve as drain holes. The mounting flaps133extending from the portions of the closed-end edge126of the first and third inboard panels121and123serve as flanges for mounting the pollinator nursery habitat100to a wall143(eg., any suitable vertical support surface). These flaps or mounting flanges133are pre-formed with holes for receiving mechanical fasteners (eg., screws144). The flap137extending from the open-end edge127of the first inboard panel121is used only during the shipping configuration of the case102. The end-user tears that flap137off and discards it, as shown inFIG. 4(and preferably again by way of compost pile). The user then tears the temporary closure flap134in half at the perforated score line136, which is the purpose of the perforated score line136.FIG. 4shows this in progress. Hence this leaves a stub145of the former flap134extending from the open-end edge127of the second inboard panel122.

This stub145of the former temporary closure flap134and the flap138extending from the open-end edge127of the third inboard panel123form a peaked eave145,138extending out for some protection of the open end104of the case102from rain. The user is further provided with a crown146to cover the seam between the stub145of the second inboard panel121and flap138of third inboard panel123. This crown146can be a strip of tape which further serves to seal the seam between the stub145and flap138.

FIGS. 8 through 20show an alternate embodiment of a pollinator nursery habitat100A in accordance with the invention, being in combination with a multi-unit shelter150sheltering a plurality of pollinator nursery habitat units or pods100A.

The shelter150is configured like a miniature shed that a gardener might have outdoors to store gardening tools, implements and supplies. The shed is preferably constructed of the double-sided liner board variety of corrugated fiber board. The roof152is produced from a single piece of stock material and the rest of the154structure is produced from another single piece.

AlthoughFIG. 12shows how the rest of the structure154appears after it has been folded up.FIG. 12also allows how to re-construct how the structure154is produced. A central161panel will serve as the floor161. Two opposed panels162extending from the left and right edges of the floor will be the left and right sidewalls162, respectively, of the structure154. Two other opposed panels163and164extending from the front and back edges of the floor161will be the front and backs walls163and164, respectively. Various overlap flaps accept fastening, preferably by mechanical thumb screws rather than adhesives, to hold the structure154together.

The sidewalls162and backwall164are solid. The front wall163is mostly open with a spacious opening165. The opening165is bordered by a bottom sill166that is formed by a folded flap to give the bottom sill166a double wall thickness. When the roof152is attached, it too is fastened likewise by mechanical thumb screws. That way, users can undo the thumb screws and remove the roof152(or at least undo one half of it) to access the interior of the shelter150and insert and withdraw pollinator nursery habitat pods100A at will. It is still intended that the pollinator nursery habitat pods100A are used for one season—from one Spring to the following Spring, and then composted. Perhaps the shelter150can be re-used for several or more seasons. Still, it is preferred that the shelter150can be disposed of in a compost pile where it will compost away.

With the roof152attached, the shelter150forms an elongated enclosure extending between a closed backwall164and an open front wall163with spacious opening165.FIGS. 8 and 9show better that there are three pollinator nursery habitat pods100A housed inside the shelter150.FIG. 10shows better that the open front ends104A of the pollinator nursery habitat pods100A are spaced behind the opening165of the front wall163of the shelter150. Not only that, the open front ends104A of the pollinator nursery habitat pods100A are spaced behind the opening165of the front wall163by a considerable gap. Moreover, the opening165in the front of the shelter150is protected by a metal grill120(or plastic screen or the like). The gap between the grill120and open fronts ends104A of the pollinator nursery habitat pods100A should provide better protection against birds, perhaps putting the open front ends104A from beyond reach outside of the grill120.

FIG. 12also shows the structure154before the walls162-164are coated with a floral attractant pattern167, as well as being coated with an optional mineral coating168to improve weather resistance. Wax coatings or polymeric coatings are preferably avoided so as not to ruin the ability to be composted. A mineral oil coating168will provide some measure of rain shedding ability but again should not ruin the possibility of composting away in a compost pile.

FIG. 17is a layout view of the case102A flat, prior to folding and assembly, as produced from flat corrugated fiberboard stock material.FIG. 17shows cut lines, slit lines, fold lines, as well as punched apertures (eg., rectangular cutouts here). This embodiment of a pod case102A differs in that it folds up into a hexagonal cross-section and is not intended to do double duty as a shipping carton. Hence all flaps can be eliminated that temporarily would cover the open front end104A.

The backwall164is formed out of the folding up of a pair of hexagonal flaps171optional triangular wedges172, there being four triangular wedges172overall, two flanking each hexagonal flap171. The hexagonal flaps171fold in half, and each flap171folds over both the flanking triangular wedges172that flank it, as shown inFIG. 16. Hence the backwall164is double ply everywhere, and triple ply in places. The folded in-half hexagonal flaps171are held in place a tab173and socket (eg., or slot)174latching system.

Correspondingly, the layout has a main span181-186partitioned into six inboard panels181-186, which correspond to the six sidewalls181-186of the hexagonal case102A, and two flanking flaps187and188outside of the six inboard panels181-186forming a tab187and socket188latching system wherein the tab187has wings189that expand beyond the edges of the socket188and thereby provide positive locking, as shown byFIG. 15.

These tab and socket173-174and187-189provisions allow the avoidance of adhesives or otherwise hard-to compost solid fasteners.

FIG. 20shows two ways of mounting the inventive multi-unit shelter150ofFIG. 8. In solid lines, the shelter150is the mounted to a wall143(eg., any suitable vertical support surface). The rear eave191of the roof152has a scored perforation line192, along it so that the rear eave191can be removed to allow flush mounting of the shelter150against the wall143.

As shown in dashed lines, the shelter150in accordance with the invention can be perched upon (propped upon) a pole193.

FIG. 21is lined for color and shows that the floral attractant patterns167gracing the pollinator nursery habitats100and/or multi-unit shelters150ofFIGS. 1, 8 and 20are chosen not only for simulating the outline of blooming flowers but also colored (eg., purple-violet for the flower on the left, blue for the flower on the right) to further enhance the attractant qualities of and/or navigation-cues offered by the patterns.

Pause can be taken to reflect on a number of advantages brought about by and/or manners of uses of the invention.

It is beneficial that the pollinator nursery habitat pods100,100A are used for one season, or just one generation of pollinators that produce a couple or more generations a summer, and then dispensed with. That way, parasites that may infest these sites are likewise dispensed with. A fresh pod is supplied, free of the parasites. And by these means and practices, these sites don't become perpetual breeding colonies for parasites.

The pollinator nursery habitats100,100A in accordance with the invention are economical to make the cost of replacement low, and are inexpensive to ship because of low weight. Some embodiments have a case102that double duties as a shipping container and full 360° tubular sidewall.

It is an aspect of the invention to create exterior ornamental designs that do not use paints or inks that are dangerous to the environment or bees or humans or all three. It is another aspect of the invention to use exterior ornamental designs that are attractive to the pollinators, and in colors attractive to the pollinators, irrespective of human appeal or not.

Moreover, further aspects with the involve providing rain/weather protection to the front of the pollinator nursery habitats100,100A in accordance with the invention, as well as some measures of predator deterrence (eg., bird predation) or other threats (eg., squirrel damage).

The pollinator nursery habitats100,100A in accordance with the invention are designed to be recycled each year in the spring after the bees have emerged from their pupae stage and emerge to continue a new cycle of feeding and egg laying. The pollinator nursery habitats100,100A in accordance with the invention are made of easy-to-recycle or compostable paper products with only a minimal amount of metal (also recyclable).

The pollinator nursery habitats100,100A in accordance with the invention are printed with water soluble, environmentally friendly inks that use colors from the blue fringe of the visible and near ultra-violet electromagnetic spectrum. These colors are believed to be especially appealing to pollinators:—eg., purple-violet, blue, pink and so on.

The multi-unit (eg., shelter150) version of the pollinator nursery habitats100,100A in accordance with the invention includes a wire screen that covers the open front ends114of the paper tubes110with a setback space that discourages nuisances like squirrels and birds.

Certain versions of the cases (eg.,102) are preferably made of a mineral coated paper that resists water, mold and deterioration in adverse weather conditions.

Correspondingly, certain versions of the cases102,102A are preferably include built-in features for mounting or hanging, like mounting flanges provided with pre-formed screw holes. It is preferred during the Spring and/or early Summer season, the pollinator nursery habitats100,100A in accordance with the invention are mounted solidly to resist swaying in the wind. That way, the integrity of the nests in the tubes110are not compromised. However, over winter, the pollinator nursery habitats100,100A in accordance with the invention can be hung in a cool shed as there is little risk of wind inside. It has to be cool to cold, or too much warmth will cause premature emergence of adults.

The pollinator nursery habitats100,100A in accordance with the invention may include venting so that the insects in the cartridges stay cooler during hot months. These vents may be open during the summer and may be closed in the winter if the insects are expected to overwinter in place.

The pollinator nursery habitats100,100A in accordance with the invention may include monitoring equipment (not shown) and the means of transmitting data for the purpose of monitoring conditions inside the housing including but not limited to temperature and humidity. Moreover, the pollinator nursery habitats100,100A in accordance with the invention (or sub-components thereof) may include RFID or other electronic devices (not shown) to keep track of the cases102,102A and the insects inside.

The pollinator nursery habitats100,100A in accordance with the invention (or sub-components thereof) may include bar codes or other types of markings (not shown) that can be scanned and used to record and track the progress of the pollinators, or even pull down online information comprising use instructions, likely according to a calendar particular for a use locale, micro-climate, target vegetation (eg., vegetable garden vs. native prairie) and so on.

In use, in the Fall, the user removes the pollinator nursery habitat pods100,100A and stores the pollinator nursery habitat pods100,100A in a cool, dry place until Spring, when the pollinator nursery habitat pods100,100A are removed from storage and re-distributed to new places. Placing the pollinator nursery habitat pods100,100A in a sunny spot should cause the young insects to emerge and begin a new cycle.

After the adults emerge, the user should replace the used pollinator nursery habitat pods100,100A with fresh new ones as soon as practicable. Again, disposing the used pollinator nursery habitat pods100,100A annually and not re-using them prevents the used pollinator nursery habitat pods100,100A from becoming parasite hotels.

The invention having been disclosed in connection with the foregoing variations and examples, additional variations will now be apparent to persons skilled in the art. The invention is not intended to be limited to the variations specifically mentioned, and accordingly reference should be made to the appended claims rather than the foregoing discussion of preferred examples, to assess the scope of the invention in which exclusive rights are claimed.