Mentor/s
Dr. Sarah Lawson
Participation Type
Poster
Abstract
Pollinators are the key to a successful ecosystem and without pollination our food chain would collapse. Studies have shown that both native and honey bee pollinators are on the decline in recent years. In order to increase pollinator health, proper foraging resources must be provided for bees. Many studies have provided knowledge of foraging preferences of honey bees, however, much less is known about the foraging preferences of native bees. The goal of our study was to determine the foraging preferences of native bees. We began by exploring the foraging preferences of the native eastern bumble bee, Bombus impatiens (Apidae); the bees were captured and introduced into the arena with two different food options. It was found that B. impatiens preferred the non-native white clover, Trifolium repens (Fabaceae). Future studies should explore how the foraging preferences of other native bee compare to our results from bumble bees and to identify which floral properties attract the bees. Ultimately, these results will help increase the health and population of native bees.
College and Major available
Biology
Location
Digital Commons
Start Day/Time
4-24-2020 2:00 PM
End Day/Time
4-24-2020 4:00 PM
Prize Categories
Most Scholarly Impact or Potential, Best Visuals, Most Creative
Native Pollinator Bombus Impatiens (Apidae) Prefers Non-native Flower Resources in Isolated Foraging Preferences Assays
Digital Commons
Pollinators are the key to a successful ecosystem and without pollination our food chain would collapse. Studies have shown that both native and honey bee pollinators are on the decline in recent years. In order to increase pollinator health, proper foraging resources must be provided for bees. Many studies have provided knowledge of foraging preferences of honey bees, however, much less is known about the foraging preferences of native bees. The goal of our study was to determine the foraging preferences of native bees. We began by exploring the foraging preferences of the native eastern bumble bee, Bombus impatiens (Apidae); the bees were captured and introduced into the arena with two different food options. It was found that B. impatiens preferred the non-native white clover, Trifolium repens (Fabaceae). Future studies should explore how the foraging preferences of other native bee compare to our results from bumble bees and to identify which floral properties attract the bees. Ultimately, these results will help increase the health and population of native bees.
Students' Information
Lexi Edwards: Biology, 2021
Victoria Jordan: Biology, 2021
Anna Carney: Biology, 2021