Fall 2019 Bioblitz of Russ Pitman Park

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Fall 2019 Bioblitz of Russ Pitman Park RUSS PITMAN PARK FALL 2019 BIOBLITZ (10/13 – 10/15) ALL SPECIES: (282) Three-toed Box Turtle – Terrapene carolina ANIMALS: (134) Green Anole – Anolis carolinensis VERTEBRATES: (23) Cuban Brown Anole – Anolis sagrei FUNGI: (33) Ground Skink – Scincella lateralis PLANTS: (115) Rough Earth Snake – Haldea striulata Mammals: (1) Amphibians: (2) Gray Squirrel – Sciurus carolinensis Gulf Coast Toad – Incilius nebulifer Rio Grande Chirping Frog – Eleutherodactylus cystignathoides Birds: (14) Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens Bony Fish: (1) Cooper’s Hawk – Accipiter cooperii Mosquitofish – Gambusia affinis Chimney Swift - Chaetura pelagica Northern Cardinal – Cardinalis cardinalis Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata Red-bellied Woodpecker - Melanerpes carolinus Eastern Screech Owl – Megascops asio Carolina Wren - Thryothorus ludovicianus White-winged Dove – Zenaida asiatica Carolina Chickadee – Poecile carolinensis American Robin – Turdus migratorius Great –tailed Grackle – Quiscalus mexicanus Ruby-throated Hummingbird – Archilochus colubris American Redstart – Setophaga ruticilla Reptiles: (5) INVERTEBRATES (Non-insects): (13) Green Darner – Anax junius Eastern Amberwing – Perithemis tenera Mollusks: (3) Asian Tramp Snail - Bradybaena similaris Butterflies and Moths: (28) Globular Drop - Oligyra orbiculata Monarch – Danaus plexipus Scrubsnail – Praticolella sp. Spicebush Swallowtail – Papilio troilus Gulf Fritillary - Agraulis vanillae Segmented Worms: (1) Bagworm moth – Psychidae Common Earthworm – Lumbricus terrestris Gem Moth – Orthonama obstipata Litter moth – Simplicia cornicalis Arachnids: (7) Ailanthus Webworm Moth – Atteva aurea Woodland Giant Wolf Spider - Tigrosa aspersa Fall Armyworm Moth – Spodoptera frugiperda Orchard Orbweaver – Leucage venusta Southern Flannel Moth – Megalopyge opercularis Common House Spider - Parasteatoda tepidariorum Acorn Moth – Blastobasis glandulella Broad-faced Sac Spider – Trachelas tranquillus Grass Tubeworm Moth – Acrolophus texanella House Orbweaver - Metazygia zilloides Pannaria Wave Moth – Leptostales pannaria Spinybacked Orbweaver – Gasteracantha Greater Wax Moth – Galleria mellonella cancriformis Red-necked Peanutworm Moth – Stegasta Golden Silk Spider - Nephila clavipes bosqueella White-tipped Black Moth – Melanchroia chephise Crustaceans: (2) Clothes moth - Phaeoses sabinella Comm. Striped Woodlouse - Philoscia muscorum Clothes moth - Tinea apicimaculella Lawn Shrimp (Amphipod/hopper) - Talitridae Crambid snout moth - Parapediasia teterrellus Leafroller moth – Bactra verutana INSECTS/Hexapods: (98) Leafroller moth – Cydia latiferreana Leafroller moth – Larisa subsolana Dragonflies: (3) Owlet moth – Condica sutor Blue Dasher - Pachydiplax longipennis Pygmy leaf-mining moth – Nepticuloidea sp. Ribbed cocoon-maker moth – Bucculatrix sp. Fuscatus Paper Wasp – Fuscopolistes sp. Scavenger moth – Pigritia sp. Gall wasp – Callirhytis sp. Austostichid moth - Gerdana caritella Live Oak Apple Gall Wasp - Callirhytis quercuspomiformis Pawpaw Sphinx Moth – Dolba hyloeus Great Golden Digger Wasp – Sphex ichnuemona Lucerne Moth – Nomophila nearctica Beetles: (12) Flies: (12) Long horned beetle – Sternidius sp. Flesh fly - Sarcophagidae Click Beetle – Aeolus sp. Common Greenbottle Fly - Lucilia sericata Dung Beetle – Onthophagus sp. Long-legged fly – Condylostylus sp. Asian Ladybird Beetle - Harmonia axyridis Moth fly – Psychodinae Ground Beetle – Scarites sp. Maize Calligrapher – Toxomerus politus June Beetle - Phyllophaga sp Asian Tiger Mosquito - Aedes albopicta Water Scavenger Beetle – Berosus sp. Biting midge – Forcipomyia sp. Predaceous Diving Beetle - Bidissini Non-biting midge – Cricotopus sp. Ground Beetle – Agonum punctiforme Phantom Midge – Chaoborus punctipennis Ground beetle – Harpalina sp. Vinegar fly – Leucophenga sp. Weevil – Conotrachelus sp. Crane fly – Tipuloidea Sap Feeding Beetle – Nitidulidae Moth fly – Psychodinae True Bugs: (17) Bees, Wasps, Sawflies, Ants: (11) Lacebug – Corythuca sp. Eastern Carpenter Bee - Xylocopa virginica Plant bug – Keltonia tuckeri Southern Carpenter Bee – Xylocopa micans Plant bug – Saileria sp. Western Honeybee – Apis mellifera Burrowing bug – Cydnidae Carpenter Mimic Leafcutter Bee - Megachile xylocopoides Aphid – Panaphidina sp. Red imported Fire Ant- Solenopsis invicta Black-margined Pecan Aphid – Monellia caryella Florida Carpenter Ant – Camponotus floridanus Leafhopper – Chlorotettix necopinus Black Crazy Ant - Paratrechina longicornis Planthopper – Flatoidinae Leafhopper – Eratoneura sp. Long-horned Caddisfly – Oecetis sp. Leafhopper - Balclutha sp. Micro-caddisfly - Hydroptilidae Leafhopper – Empoasca sp. Leafhopper – Planicephalus sp. Lacewings: (2) Leafhopper – Protalebrella sp. Green Lacewing – Chrysoperla sp. Leafhopper – Scaphoideus sp. Four-spotted Lacewing – Chrysopa quadripunctata Leafhopper – Xestocephalus sp. Planthopper – Stenocranus sp. Stick Insects: (1) Whitefly - Aleyrodidae Phasmidae Cockroaches: (5) Surinam Roach - Pycnoscelus surinamensis FUNGI: (33) American Cockroach - Periplaneta americana Dead Man’s Fingers – Xylaria polymorpha Asian House Cockroach - Blattella asahinai Candlesnuff Fungus – Xylaria hypoxylon Smoky Brown Cockroach - Periplaneta fuliginosa Wood Ear – Auricularia angiospermarum Asian Cockroach – Blattella asahinai Hairy Hexagonia – Hexagonia hydnoides Artist’s Bracket – Ganoderma applanatum Earwigs: (1) False Turkey Tail – Stereum ostrea Ringlegged earwig - Euborellia annulipes Oyster Mushroom – Pleurotus ostreatus Bracket Fungus – Ganoderma sessile Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids: (4) Bracket Fungus – Trametes lactinea Scudder’s Bush katydid - Scudderia sp. Firerug Inkcap – Coprinellus domesticus Broad-tipped Conehead - Neoconocephalus triops Turkey Tail Fungus – Trametes versicolor Great Anglewing Katydid - Microcentrum Common Tarcrust - Diatrype stigma rhombifolium Cymatoderma elegans Japanese Burrowing Cricket – Velarifictorus Hypoxylon sp. micado Ceramic Parchment fungus – Xylobolus frustulatus Caddisflies: (2) Splitgill Muchroom – Schizophyllum commune to document all or even most of the plants in the park. Participants simply noted plants they Crowded Parchment Fungus – Stereum found interesting, observed fruiting or complicatum blooming, or thought may not already be on the Oak Bracket – Pseudoinonotus dryadeus official park list of plants. Honeycomb Bracket fungus – Favolus sp. During future Bio-blitzes, we will invite plant specialists to help us survey more Hoof Fungus – Fomes fomentarius systematically, for a more thorough accounting Ochre Spreading Tooth Fungus – Steccherinum of plants present in the park. ochraceum Trametes sp. Mosses: (2) Dyer’s Polypore – Phaeolus schweinitzii Shingle Moss – Neckera pennata Antrodia sp. Unidentified moss sp. Pore lichen – Pertusaria sp. Speckled Greenshield Lichen – Flavopunctelia Ferns: (2) flaventior Resurrection Fern – Pleopeltis michauxiana Common Greenshield Lichen – Flavoparmelia caperata Japanese Climbing Fern – Lygodium japonicum Farinose Cartilage Lichen – Ramalina farinacea Common Button Lichen – Buellia erubescens Palms: (1) Common Script Lichen – Graphis scripta Dwarf Palmetto – Sabal minor Whitewash Lichen – Phlyctis argena Black Stone Flower Lichen – Parmotrema Grasses/Sedges/Rushes: (12) perlata Indiangrass – Sorghastrum nutans Sinewed Bushy Lichen – Ramalina americana Eastern Gamagrass – Tripsacum dactyloides Muhly Grass – Muhlenbergia capillaria Cherokee Sedge – Carex cherokeensis PLANTS: (115) True sedge – Carex sp. There are of course way more than ___ plants Umbrella Papyrus – Cyperus involucratus in Russ Pitman Park. Basketgrass – Oplismenus hirtellus The Nature Discovery Center, however, already has a rather voluminous and exhaustive plant Virginia Wildrye – Elymus virginicus list for the park. Thus, the naturalists who Switchgrass – Panicum virgatum participated in the first Bio-blitz did not attempt Florida Paspalum – Paspalum flordanum Chamberbitter – Phyllanthus urinaria Big Bluestem – Andropogon gerardii Mascarene Island Leaf-flower – Phyllanthus tenellus Wood Oats (Inland Sea Oats) – Chasmanthium latifolium Leafy Elephant’s-foot – Elephantopus carolinianus Frostweed – Verbesina virginica Broadleaf Plants: (98) Black Willow – Salix nigra Straggler Daisy - Calyptocarpus vialis Aquatic Milkweed – Asclepias perennis Clustered Bushmint – Hyptis alata Creeping Buttercup – Ranunculus repens Swamp leatherflower – Clematis crispa Halberd-leaved Tearthumb - Persicaria arifolia Turkey-tangle Frogfruit – Phyla nodiflora Missouri Ironweed – Vernonia missurica Lanceleaf Fogfruit – Phyla lanceolata Cardinal Flower – Lobelia cardinalis Boxelder Maple – Acer negundo Mexican Primrose-willow – Ludwigia octovalvis Red Maple – Acer rubrum Three-lobed False Mallow – Malvastrum Yard Aster – Symphotrichum divaricatum coromandelianum Blue Mistflower – Conoclinium coelestinum Loquat – Eriobotrya japonica Climbing Hempvine – Mikania scandens Three-seeded Mercury – Acalypha sp. Tall Goldenrod – Solidago altissima Arrowhead – Sagittaria latifolia Seaside Goldenrod – Solidago sempervirens Lizard’s Tail – Saururus cernuus Giant Goldenrod – Solidago canadensis Buttonweed – Diodia virginiana Tievine – Ipomoea cordatotriloba Obedient Plant – Physostegia virginiana Giant Blue Sage – Salvia azurea Saw Greenbriar – Smilax bona-nox Narrowleaf Sunflower – Helianthus angustifolius Mustang Grape – Vitis mustangensis Camphorweed – Pluchea camphorata American Trumpetvine – Campsis radicans Opposite-leaf Spotflower – Acmella repens Mexican Plum – Prunus mexicana Spiny
Recommended publications
  • Molecular Ecology and Social Evolution of the Eastern Carpenter Bee
    Molecular ecology and social evolution of the eastern carpenter bee, Xylocopa virginica Jessica L. Vickruck, B.Sc., M.Sc. Department of Biological Sciences Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of PhD Faculty of Mathematics and Science, Brock University St. Catharines, Ontario © 2017 Abstract Bees are extremely valuable models in both ecology and evolutionary biology. Their link to agriculture and sensitivity to climate change make them an excellent group to examine how anthropogenic disturbance can affect how genes flow through populations. In addition, many bees demonstrate behavioural flexibility, making certain species excellent models with which to study the evolution of social groups. This thesis studies the molecular ecology and social evolution of one such bee, the eastern carpenter bee, Xylocopa virginica. As a generalist native pollinator that nests almost exclusively in milled lumber, anthropogenic disturbance and climate change have the power to drastically alter how genes flow through eastern carpenter bee populations. In addition, X. virginica is facultatively social and is an excellent organism to examine how species evolve from solitary to group living. Across their range of eastern North America, X. virginica appears to be structured into three main subpopulations: a northern group, a western group and a core group. Population genetic analyses suggest that the northern and potentially the western group represent recent range expansions. Climate data also suggest that summer and winter temperatures describe a significant amount of the genetic differentiation seen across their range. Taken together, this suggests that climate warming may have allowed eastern carpenter bees to expand their range northward. Despite nesting predominantly in disturbed areas, eastern carpenter bees have adapted to newly available habitat and appear to be thriving.
    [Show full text]
  • Gardening for Native Bees
    spread pesticide use, and climate change all have an impact, but gardeners can help. AppreciAting Diversity American bee species “come in a jewel box gardening for of different colors—from metallic green to bottle blue, gold, brown, and glossy black,” says scott Hoffman black, the executive director of the Xerces society, an organiza- tion dedicated to invertebrate conservation. sizes vary from the enormous one-inch val- Native Bees ley carpenter bee (Xylocopa varipuncta) to one of the world’s smallest bees, Perdita minima, which is under two millimeters North America’s native bees long. Throw in different shapes, hair types, tongue lengths, and other characteristics, are under threat from habitat and their diversity is staggering. When it comes to nesting, about loss, pesticides, and climate 90 percent of these species are solitary, change. Here’s what gardeners can do to help. BY JESSIE KEITH Left: Fall-blooming plants such as this aster (Symphyotrichum sp.) provide nectar to many species of native bees as they prepare to hibernate over the winter. Above: Specialized hairs on the underside of this female leafcutter bee’s (Megachile sp.) abdomen hold the pollen she collects for feeding her young. oney bees (Apis mellifera) (Osmia lignaria) are far more effective while the rest are social and hive-form- may garner more of the lime- pollinators of cherry orchards, resulting ing. nests may be underground or above Hlight, but north America is al- in over twice the fruit yields of honey bee ground in cavities; depending on the so home to approximately 4,000 known pollinated orchards.
    [Show full text]
  • How to Operate a Successful Bee Hotel
    How to Operate a Successful Bee Hotel Making space for wood and stem nesting bees in home landscapes, parks, and gardens Draft Elsa Youngsteadt Assistant Professor & Extension Urban Ecology Specialist Department of Applied Ecology North Carolina State University Meredith Favre Graduate Student—MS Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology North Carolina State University DRAFT VERSION in progress and not yet peer-reviewed, Feb 27, 2021 TABLE OF CONTENTS What is a bee hotel? .................................................................................................................................. 1 The benefits of bees ............................................................................................................................. 1 Who lives in a bee hotel? ...................................................................................................................... 2 How bees and wasps use a hotel .......................................................................................................... 3 Meet the residents ............................................................................................................................... 5 Family Megachilidae ........................................................................................................................ 2 Blue orchard bee ........................................................................................................................ 5 Other mason bees .....................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Native Bee Benefits
    Bryn Mawr College and Rutgers University May 2009 Native Bee Benefits How to increase native bee pollination on your farm in several simple steps For Pennsylvania and New Jersey Farmers In this pamphlet, Why are native bees important? Insect pollination services are a highly important you can find out… agricultural input. Two-thirds of crop varieties require animal pollination for production and many crops have higher quality after The most effective native bees insect pollination.1,2,3 Bees are the most important pollinators in in PA and NJ and how to most ecosystems. They facilitate reproduction and improve seed set for half of Pennsylvania’s and New Jersey’s top fruit and identify them 4,5,6 vegetable commodities. Estimated value of their pollination services range from $6 - 263 million each year.7 Their habitat and foraging Honeybee numbers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey have needs been declining over the past several years. Beekeepers recorded overwinter losses of 26- 48% and 17-40% respectively in PA and Strategies for encouraging NJ between 2006 and 2009.8,9,10 These losses are much higher than their presence on your farm the typical 15% losses seen in previous years.10 Although many farmers rent managed honeybees to increase crop yield and quality, Sources of funding surveys of small to medium size PA and NJ farms have shown that native bees provide a substantial portion of pollination services.11,12 By increasing the number and diversity of native bees, PA and NJ farmers may be able to counter rising costs of rented bee colonies while supporting sustainable native plant and pollinator communities.
    [Show full text]
  • Creating Economically and Ecologically Sustainable Pollinator Habitat District 2 Demonstration Research Project Summary Updated for Site Visit in April 2019
    Creating Economically and Ecologically Sustainable Pollinator Habitat District 2 Demonstration Research Project Summary Updated for Site Visit in April 2019 The PIs are most appreciative for identification assistance provided by: Arian Farid and Alan R. Franck, Director and former Director, resp., University of South Florida Herbarium, Tampa, FL; Edwin Bridges, Botanical and Ecological Consultant; Floyd Griffith, Botanist; and Eugene Wofford, Director, University of Tennessee Herbarium, Knoxville, TN Investigators Rick Johnstone and Robin Haggie (IVM Partners, 501-C-3 non-profit; http://www.ivmpartners.org/); Larry Porter and John Nettles (ret.), District 2 Wildflower Coordinator; Jeff Norcini, FDOT State Wildflower Specialist Cooperator Rick Owen (Imperiled Butterflies of Florida Work Group – North) Objective Evaluate a cost-effective strategy for creating habitat for pollinators/beneficial insects in the ROW beyond the back-slope. Rationale • Will aid FDOT in developing a strategy to create pollinator habitat per the federal BEE Act and FDOT’s Wildflower Program • Will demonstrate that FDOT can simultaneously • Create sustainable pollinator habitat in an economical and ecological manner • Reduce mowing costs • Part of national effort coordinated by IVM Partners, who has • Established or will establish similar projects on roadside or utility ROWS in Alabama, Arkansas, Maryland, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Idaho, Montana, Virginia, West Virginia, and Tennessee; studies previously conducted in Arizona, Delaware, Michigan, and New Jersey • Developed partnerships with US Fish & Wildlife Service, Army Corps of Engineers, US Geological Survey, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Rutgers University, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage, The Navajo Nation, The Wildlife Habitat Council, The Pollinator Partnership, Progressive Solutions, Bayer Crop Sciences, Universities of Maryland, Ohio, West Virginia, and the EPA.
    [Show full text]
  • Backyard Guide to Common Bees in Houston
    Backyard Guide to Common Bees in Houston Extra Large Bees (Around 1 inch long or more) American Bumble Bee (Bombus pensylvanicus) Description - The main bumble bee living in this area. The upper portion of the thorax has a yellow band and the remainder is black. On the abdomen, the first 2-4 segments have yellow bands. Males tend to have more yellow bands on the abdomen. Size- “Walnut” (Around 1 inch or more) Season- Late emerging, mostly May - Oct Nesting - Social bees; nest in rodent burrows, tree cavities, or leaf piles Image ©Camia Lowman with Urban Harvest, Inc. HoustonNativeBees.org Did you know bumble bees are the Having trouble distinguishing bumble bees and only warm-blooded insect? Since carpenter bees? Bumble bees have a hairy thorax Carpenter bees they can regulate their own body AND abdomen. have a hairy temperature and generate heat, they thorax, but shiny abdomen. So “if it’s shiny on the are endothermic. hiney, it’s a carpenter”. Southern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa micans) Description- Southern carpenter females are bluish purple (In contrast to Eastern carpenters which are black). Males have distinctive large, greenish yellow eyes. Size- “Walnut” (Around 1 inch or more) Season- Mar - Sept Nesting- Cavity-dwelling, usually in wood Female Male Image ©Lauren Simpson Image ©Camia at St. Julian's Crossing - Lowman with Urban Wildlife Habitat Harvest, Inc. HoustonNativeBees.org 1 Large Bees (Around ¾ inch long) Horsefly-like Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa tabaniformis parkinsoniae) Description- This fast-moving carpenter bee has four distinctive “racing stripes” on the lateral portions of the abdomen. Size- “Popcorn” (3/4 inch) Season- Mar - Aug Nesting- Cavity-dwelling, usually in wood Image ©Camia Lowman with Urban Harvest, Inc.
    [Show full text]
  • Giant Resin Bee Megachile Sculpturalis (Smith) (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)1 Kristen C
    EENY-733 Giant Resin Bee Megachile sculpturalis (Smith) (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)1 Kristen C. Stevens, Cameron J. Jack, and James D. Ellis2 Introduction Originally from eastern Asia, the giant resin bee, Megachile sculpturalis (Smith) (Figure 1), was accidentally introduced into the United States in the 1990s. It is considered an adventive species (i.e., non-native and usually not established), but is present in most states in the eastern US. Although these bees can be found on various plants, they typically prefer plants that have been introduced from their native area. Some have observed that when collecting pollen or nectar, Megachile sculpturalis will damage local flora, making them unusable to future bee visitors (Sumner 2003). Evidence has shown that Megachile sculpturalis pollinates a native and federally threatened plant, Apios Figure 1. A female giant resin bee, Megachile sculpturalis (Smith), pricenana (Campbell 2016). collecting pollen. Credits: Paula Sharp Distribution Megachile sculpturalis is native to China, Japan and a few other locations in eastern Asia. This bee was first inter- cepted in the US in North Carolina in 1994 at commercial ports; thus, it is believed to have arrived to the US ac- cidentally via international trade. Since coming to the US, it inhabits most states east of the Mississippi River. Based on its native range and preference for humid, subtropical, and temperate climates, it is predicted that this large invasive bee will continue to spread throughout the US (Parys et al. 2015) (Figure 2). Figure 2. This map shows the predicted distribution of Megachile sculpturalis (Smith). Credits: Ismael A. Hinojosa-Diaz, University of Kansas 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Species List for Garey Park-Inverts
    Species List for Garey Park-Inverts Category Order Family Scientific Name Common Name Abundance Category Order Family Scientific Name Common Name Abundance Arachnid Araneae Agelenidae Funnel Weaver Common Arachnid Araneae Thomisidae Misumena vatia Goldenrod Crab Spider Common Arachnid Araneae Araneidae Araneus miniatus Black-Spotted Orbweaver Rare Arachnid Araneae Thomisidae Misumessus oblongus American Green Crab Spider Common Arachnid Araneae Araneidae Argiope aurantia Yellow Garden Spider Common Arachnid Araneae Uloboridae Uloborus glomosus Featherlegged Orbweaver Uncommon Arachnid Araneae Araneidae Argiope trifasciata Banded Garden Spider Uncommon Arachnid Endeostigmata Eriophyidae Aceria theospyri Persimmon Leaf Blister Gall Rare Arachnid Araneae Araneidae Gasteracantha cancriformis Spinybacked Orbweaver Common Arachnid Endeostigmata Eriophyidae Aculops rhois Poison Ivy Leaf Mite Common Arachnid Araneae Araneidae Gea heptagon Heptagonal Orbweaver Rare Arachnid Ixodida Ixodidae Amblyomma americanum Lone Star Tick Rare Arachnid Araneae Araneidae Larinioides cornutus Furrow Orbweaver Common Arachnid Ixodida Ixodidae Dermacentor variabilis American Dog Tick Common Arachnid Araneae Araneidae Mangora gibberosa Lined Orbweaver Uncommon Arachnid Opiliones Sclerosomatidae Leiobunum vittatum Eastern Harvestman Uncommon Arachnid Araneae Araneidae Mangora placida Tuft-legged Orbweaver Uncommon Arachnid Trombidiformes Anystidae Whirligig Mite Rare Arachnid Araneae Araneidae Mecynogea lemniscata Basilica Orbweaver Rare Arachnid Eumesosoma roeweri
    [Show full text]
  • Carpenter Bees (Xylocopa Virginica) M.H
    615 ARTICLE Ergonomic skew and reproductive queuing based on social and seasonal variation in foraging activity of eastern carpenter bees (Xylocopa virginica) M.H. Richards and C. Course Abstract: Reproductive division of labour in social carpenter bees differs from that in classically eusocial insects because reproductive output and ergonomic inputs are positively correlated—dominant females monopolize both foraging and repro- duction. We quantified ergonomic skew in the facultatively social bee Xylocopa virginica (L., 1771) (eastern carpenter bee) based on detailed observations of foraging activity by individually marked females in 2009. Unusually for a univoltine bee, this species exhibits a spring foraging phase during which females feed pollen to other adults, probably as part of behavioural interactions to establish dominance hierarchies. During brood-provisioning, foraging in social nests was dominated by one female at a time, with replacement by a succession of foragers as dominants disappeared and were succeeded by a subordinate. The principal foragers (individuals that did the largest share of foraging in each colony) did 85%–100% of all pollen trips, so contributions to pollen-provisioning by female nest mates were highly uneven. Individual foraging rate was unaffected by group size and total colony foraging effort was a function of the number of foragers per group. Transient females that moved to new nests were as successful in achieving dominant forager status as females resident in their natal nests. This evidence indicates that colony social organisation is based on reproductive queues, whereby the first-ranked bee is the dominant forager and subordinates queue for opportunities to replace her. Key words: foraging behaviour, social behaviour, ergonomic skew, Xylocopa virginica, eastern carpenter bee.
    [Show full text]
  • Nebraska Plants & Pollinators
    DON’T FORGET PLANT BIODIVERSITY! Growing many kinds of flowers is one way to support beneficial insects that pollinate our LARVAL HOSTS crops, gardens and wild places. Here are examples of common Nebraska pollinators (butterflies, bees, beetles, Many insects (especially butterflies) moths, wasps and flies) and the native blooms they depend on for pollen and nectar through the seasons. lay their eggs on only certain plants. When they hatch, the larvae eat on the plant’s leaves for food before spring summer autumn morphing into adults. Large Beardtongue & Eastern Carpenter Bee Leadplant & Small Carpenter Bees Aromatic Aster & Blue-Green Sweat Bees Golden Alexanders & Black Swallowtail Penstemon grandiflorus & Xylocopa virginica Amorpha canescens & Ceratina sp. Symphyotrichum oblongifolium & Augochlorella sp. Zizia aurea & Papilio polyxenes plantnebraska.org A shiny, mostly Ceratina visit Asters provide black body Amorpha for valuable, late- distinguishes pollen as well season nectar this bee from as nectar, for sweat bees. its cousin, the gleaning both bumble bee. protein and more at carbohydrates. ADULT Eastern Columbine & Dark Sweat Bees New Jersey Tea & Syrphid Fly Wichita Mountains Goldenrod & Soldier Beetle Cream Wild Indigo & Orange Sulphur Aquilegia canadensis & Lasioglossum sp. Ceanothus americanus & Allograpta obliqua Solidago ‘Wichita Mountains’ & Podabrus flavicollis Baptisia bracteata & Colias eurytheme This type of tiny The second most Beetles like this one sweat bee is effective are important able to collect pollinators on pollinators, and pollen from the prairie are are commonly these trumpet- flies, like this found on like flowers. syrphid fly. goldenrod. ADULT Wild Cherries, Plums & Ichneumonids Bergamot Beebalm & Bee Fly Dotted Blazing Star & Monarch Butterfly Butterfly Milkweed & Small Milkweed Bug Prunus sp.
    [Show full text]
  • Bees in Pennsylvania: Diversity, Ecology, and Importance
    Bees in Pennsylvania: Diversity, Ecology, and Importance At least 437 species of bees contribute to declines in bee populations by making information about each pollinating Pennsylvania's natural areas, bee species known in the state publicly available. gardens, and agricultural crops. Learn more The species found in Pennsylvania are categorized into six of about how they are classified, their lifestyles, the seven bee families in the world (Photo 1). The family and how documenting bee species in Apidae has the greatest number of species in the state (118 Pennsylvania improves our knowledge about species). Common names for apid bees include honey, their populations and distributions. bumble, carpenter, long-horned, and cuckoo bees. Halictidae, the second largest group in the state (110 species), are commonly known as sweat bees. Andrenidae (100 species) are mining bees. Megachilidae (81 species) include the leafcutter, mason, resin, and wool carder bees. Colletidae (24 species) are cellophane and masked bees. Melittidae, the smallest family in Pennsylvania (4 species), generally do not have common names. Bombus pensylvanicus. Photo: Laura Russo, University of Tennessee Bees comprise a group of insects that pollinate the majority of our crops. Through pollination, bees transfer pollen from the anther of one flower to the stigma of the same or another flower. This process initiates the production of many of the seeds, fruits, and vegetables that we harvest. Crops that either completely rely on or benefit from bee pollination include blueberries, cucurbits such as melons and pumpkins, and tree fruits like apples and cherries. Photo 1. Bee biodiversity in Pennsylvania. Examples of species found in each of the six families are shown.
    [Show full text]
  • Identifying the Bees on the Poster “Join the Conversation About Native Bees” Written by Stephen Buchmann, Ph.D., Interim NAPPC Coordinator, Pollinator Partnership
    Identifying the bees on the poster “Join the Conversation about Native Bees” Written by Stephen Buchmann, Ph.D., Interim NAPPC Coordinator, Pollinator Partnership 1. Macropis nuda. There’s oil in some flowers. Flowers including Spotted Loosestrife (Lysimachia spp.) produce energy rich and nutritious floral oils which some female bees (Macropis nuda) collect using modified leg hairs like “oil squeegees” to enrich their brood provisions. This happens in some tropical bees (especially the genus Centris) but in the northeastern USA, only in these interesting little Macropis oil bees. 2. Agapostemon texanus. US sweat bee (a male Agapostemon texanus) is especially colorful. Males of this species have a shiny green/brassy head and thorax but a wildly contrasting black and yellow-banded abdomen. Look for these bees on sunflowers and other common plants in the late spring and summer. 3. Peponapis pruinosa. Squash and gourd bees (like our Peponapis pruinosa) are common bees across much of the United States. They are specialist pollinators preferring the pollen and nectar of squashes, gourds and pumpkin flowers. The genus Peponapis is a colorful bee about the size of a honey bee. They are solitary; each female constructs her own nest with no help from kin, and nest a foot or more underground, usually in or near patches of their favorite cucurbits. 4. Bombus impatiens. The Impatient Bumble Bee (Bombus impatiens) is the preferred bumble bee of commerce. Since it can buzz pollinate, while honey bees never do, it is reared in large numbers and its colonies flown to distance localities, greenhouses needing pollinators. Since it does not naturally occur west of the Mississippi, efforts are underway to only allow it to be used in the eastern states as a managed pollinator.
    [Show full text]