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ViewAttendees 8

Student 10-Minute Paper

Systematics, Evolution, and Biodiversity

Student Competition

Student

Grad Competition SysEB: Conservation

Bee hotels elucidate aspects of cavity-nesting bee ecology at the urban-forest interface

Monday, November 6, 2023
10:54 AM – 11:06 AM ET
Location: Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Chesapeake 10-11
In-Person Student Competition
Urban forests provide necessary habitat for many forest associated bee species amidst development and fragmentation. These forest fragments provide important early pollen resources for early-emerging bees as well as nesting substrates for cavity nesting bee species. Yet, the conservation value of these urban forests for bees remains uncertain while forest area decreases. Here, we placed bee hotels at forest interiors and edges at 8 sites across a historically forested city in the Southeastern United States. Bees were able to nest from late February through the end of August. Pollen was collected for identification and bees were reared until adult emergence. We found that the bee hotels were predominately occupied by bees in the family Megachilidae, where most inhabitant were exotic bee species Osmia taurus and Megachile sculpturalis. However, other native species in the genera Megachile and Osmia utilized provided hotels. This study adds to the body of research elucidating the conservation value of urban forest fragments for native and exotic bee ecology.