Blueberry scientists confront issue of bees gathering Botrytis spores.

Research from the University of Stellenbosch reveals that bees do more than just pollinate when they visit commercial fruit blocks. In a study focused on the ecology of Botrytis in blueberry orchards, it was found that bees walking on fungal growth mediums can lead to the sprouting of various fungi, including Botrytis and Cladosporium. Using UV markers, researchers tracked the spores left by bees in blueberry tunnels, noting that Botrytis can infect flowers without causing immediate damage, remaining dormant until conditions post-harvest trigger its growth on the fruit.