Insects Pollinating Alfalfa in Central Sweden

Abstract

Alfalfa is more and more recognized as an excellent forage crop in this country. The difficulty in obtaining homegrown seed is one of the most outstanding obstacles preventing an extended cultivation of alfalfa. One of the possible causes of this difficulty is believed to be the insufficient frequency of pollinating insects. During the period 1945-1948 investigations were carried out in order to secure data on the species of insects, their frequency, manner of working and habits of living. Systematic investigations were made at Ultuna near Uppsala complemented by observations in other parts of the country