2008 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) Establish a suitable stocking density of blue orchard bees to optimize nut production and bee production in commercial almonds in California. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Nesting blue orchard bees will be established in replicated field cages in an almond orchard, to compare with honey bees foraging freely at neighboring trees outside each cage. Measures to be compared will include bee densities, bloom production, nut production and reproductive success of the blue orchard bees. 3.Progress Report The goal of this project has been to evaluate the necessary stocking densities of blue orchard bees to satisfy almond pollination needs. The method was to stock field cages placed over three (3) almond trees of compatible cultivars, replicated for six (6) groups of three trees each, with AgPollen LLC providing and assembling the cages. ADODR monitoring activities to evaluate general research progress included conference calls, meetings with the cooperator's personnel, and site visits to field plot locations.