Event Title
Bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) foraging on Massachusetts cranberry
Start Date
28-8-2017 10:30 AM
End Date
28-8-2017 10:45 AM
Description
Abstract.
Diversity and abundance of bees foraging on cranberry flowers in southeastern Massachusetts were studied during eight bloom periods between 2007-2016. We documented six families, 20 genera, and 72 species of bees. However, no species of non-Bombus (bumble bee) was abundant in any of the collection years. Ways in which the upland areas surrounding cultivated cranberry beds and cranberry itself may be inhospitable for many small-bodied bee populations with limited flight ranges are reviewed. The collection was dominated (>90%) by Bombus. Comparison with observations in the first half of the 20th century, together with collections made during a less intensive survey 25 years ago, suggest that two Bombus species are increasing in abundance, but that at least half of the Bombus species previously observed in this region have become very rare or locally extinct.
Recommended Citation
Sylvia, Martha; Hahn, Noel; and Averill, Anne, "Bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) foraging on Massachusetts cranberry" (2017). North American Cranberry Researcher and Extension Workers Conference. 21.
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/nacrew/2017/papers/21
Bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) foraging on Massachusetts cranberry
Abstract.
Diversity and abundance of bees foraging on cranberry flowers in southeastern Massachusetts were studied during eight bloom periods between 2007-2016. We documented six families, 20 genera, and 72 species of bees. However, no species of non-Bombus (bumble bee) was abundant in any of the collection years. Ways in which the upland areas surrounding cultivated cranberry beds and cranberry itself may be inhospitable for many small-bodied bee populations with limited flight ranges are reviewed. The collection was dominated (>90%) by Bombus. Comparison with observations in the first half of the 20th century, together with collections made during a less intensive survey 25 years ago, suggest that two Bombus species are increasing in abundance, but that at least half of the Bombus species previously observed in this region have become very rare or locally extinct.