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Native Bees in Agriculture

Native Bees in Agriculture. Annette M. Meredith University of Maryland meredith@mdsg.umd.edu. Pollinators. Pollinate crops and wild plants Vectors for genetic exchange Essential for obligate mutualisms Habitat provides other ecosystem services Biodiversity value. Pollinators in Peril?.

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Native Bees in Agriculture

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  1. Native Bees in Agriculture Annette M. Meredith University of Maryland meredith@mdsg.umd.edu

  2. Pollinators • Pollinate crops and wild plants • Vectors for genetic exchange • Essential for obligate mutualisms • Habitat provides other ecosystem services • Biodiversity value

  3. Pollinators in Peril?

  4. Pollinator Decline • Habitat loss due to land use change • Parasites, disease • Pesticides, herbicides • Nonnative pollinators • Monocultures • GM crops • Climate change • Protected lands limited

  5. Honeybees

  6. Colony Collapse Disorder Photo: Keith Delaplane

  7. CCD Affected States

  8. Native Pollinators

  9. What is a bee?

  10. Which one is a bee?

  11. Overcoming Aversion to Bees

  12. Term for Non-honeybees Respondent preference Nfarmers=102 / Nsci/mgr=89

  13. Native Bee Diversity

  14. Native Bee Census • 12 mixed vegetable farms (MD, PA, WV) • 11 CSAs, 1 former farm • <15 acres • 6 habitat types

  15. Species by Sampling Effort

  16. Native Bee Census • >3100 bees • 5 families • 26 genera • 81 species • >96% in crop non-Apis • Halictids dominate • Total abundance, mean abundance and species richness greatest in July compared to June/August

  17. Native Bee Census n=441 Agapostemon virescens (Females) Average Number of bees / transect n=128 Halictus ligatus (Females)

  18. Bees on Farms Forage Nest Sites

  19. Sweat Bees • Halictidae

  20. Digger Bees • Andrena, Colletes…

  21. Bumblebees • Bombus

  22. Alkali Bees • Nomia melanderi

  23. Squash Bees • Peponapsis pruinosa

  24. Leafcutter Bees • Megachile

  25. Carpenter Bees • Xylocopa, Ceratina

  26. Mason Bees • Osmia

  27. Polyester Bees • Colletes

  28. Bee Identification http://www.discoverlife.org/

  29. Bee Keys with Photos

  30. Bumblebee ID http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2008/080128.htm

  31. Bumblebee Wallet Guide

  32. Bumblebee Wallet Guide

  33. Acknowledgements Funding USDA Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education University of Virginia Blandy Experimental Farm Maryland Sea Grant Farms Avian Mead Organics, Calvert Farm, Calvert's Gift, Colchester Farm, Cromwell Valley CSA, Eating w/ the Seasons, Even’ Star Organic, Fresh and Local, Fulton Farm, Good Fortune Farm, Mt. Pleasant, One Straw Farm Guidance Michael Paolisso, Sam Droege, David Inouye, Fredrika Moser, Trish Steinhilber, Lori Lynch, Tom Simpson, T’ai Roulston, David Carr, Holly Menninger, Julianna Tuell, Jennifer Reed, Quinn McFrederick, Esther Julier Field Assistance Jacquelyn DeLacerda, Carlos Robles, Holly Menninger, Cara Fiore, Clair Keene, Renee Crane, Crystal Bennett, Eric Elton, Norah Warchola, Kevin Barry, Lila Warren, Josie Huber, Melissa Zwick, Maria Van Dyke, Kristin Henderson

  34. Questions ? Annette M. Meredith University of Maryland meredith@mdsg.umd.edu

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