Start Date
April 2024
Location
2nd floor - Library
Abstract
Native bees are pollinators and a part of a functioning ecosystem. There is at least one federally endangered species of native bee in Ohio; however, there may be others that are potentially endangered. Without further knowledge about native bee species in Ohio, we are not able to determine what species require further protection. Although pan-trap surveys were completed throughout Ohio in 2020, this collection method did not provide enough information about specialist populations. Therefore, my research focused on collection via aerial net to improve our understanding of what flowers specialists bees are likely to visit.
I surveyed patches of flowering plants in nature reserves and parks in the greater Cincinnati area. Native bees were collected using an aerial net and stored in vials to be identified. Bees will be identified by a taxonomist leading this state wide project at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. This research project's overarching goal is participating in the Ohio bee survey to determine more host plant preferences of generalist and specialist bees.
Native Bee Surveys
2nd floor - Library
Native bees are pollinators and a part of a functioning ecosystem. There is at least one federally endangered species of native bee in Ohio; however, there may be others that are potentially endangered. Without further knowledge about native bee species in Ohio, we are not able to determine what species require further protection. Although pan-trap surveys were completed throughout Ohio in 2020, this collection method did not provide enough information about specialist populations. Therefore, my research focused on collection via aerial net to improve our understanding of what flowers specialists bees are likely to visit.
I surveyed patches of flowering plants in nature reserves and parks in the greater Cincinnati area. Native bees were collected using an aerial net and stored in vials to be identified. Bees will be identified by a taxonomist leading this state wide project at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. This research project's overarching goal is participating in the Ohio bee survey to determine more host plant preferences of generalist and specialist bees.
