Summary: The objectives of this project were: 1) to characterize the pollinating behavior of Tien Shan Mountain bees within regions of the wild apple forest and on cultivated apples. 2) to establish collaborators within this region and apiaries for queen rearing and importation 3) Initiate the importation, quarantine and field testing of stock. 4) Develop protocol for the dissemination of selected honey bee stocks to queen producers and beekeepers that serve the tree fruit growers of Washington State.
