Colorado has a huge diversity of native bees. With nearly 1,000 different species of bees, we need a number of different types of techniques to determine which bees are present in an area. We use three primary means of capturing adult bees as the forage across the plains: bee bowls (left) are small colored cup that we fill with soapy water. These traps sample many of the smaller bee species in the area. We mount them on rebar so we can adjust their height as the grass grows over the season. Vane traps (right) are really effective at capturing large-bodied bees. We also get a number of different wasp species (an added bonus). We also use handheld nets (not pictured) to catch bees that are foraging on nearby flowers. Finally, we place bamboo nests (center) along the edges of fields to catch bees that like to nest in hollow stems and wood. This can allow us to see not only what bees are in the area, but also look at the pollen that they feed their young to determine the most important flowers for native bees.
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A big part of the project early on involves building the materials we'll need to survey for native bees. Here, Collin (left) and Camille (a CU undergraduate) glue PVC together to make holders for elevated bee bowls. We place these in the field to capture small bees. Photos of the finished product are on the way!
In May 2013, I finally met the high plains of eastern Colorado! Bernadette (2nd from right) gave the rest of us a great introduction into the history and ecology of the plains. On the left, Collin and Theresa (a CSU undergrad) demonstrate how windy it was.
We're very lucky to be part of a great group of collaborators with diverse backgrounds and research interests--all brought together by our common interest in native pollinators. From left to right: Bernadette Kuhn (CSU), Adrian Carper (UW-Wisconsin), Deane Bowers (CU-Boulder), Andrew Norton (CSU), Collin Schwantes (CU-Boulder), and Mary Jamieson (UW-Madison).
Burnadette is a graduate student at CSU and a botanist with the Colorado Natural Heritage Program. Adrian is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an ecologist interested in native bee conservation and management. Deane is the curator of Entomology at the Museum of Natural History and professor in EBIO at Cu-Boulder. Andrew is a professor of Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management at Colorado State University. Collin is a graduate student at CU-Boulder interested in native bee conservation. Mary is a Research Scientist in the Dept of Entomology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. |
Adrian CarperHere's a few thoughts, observations, and just cool entomological things to share. Enjoy!
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