Evaluating the attractiveness of Coreopsis spp. wild types and cultivars to pollinators. Owen Cass and Dr. Deborah A. Delaney, University of Delaware, Newark, DE Introduction Results Results Popular garden plants often have a multitude of cultivars. A Table 1. Floral characteristics of each Coreopsis spp. taken on July 3rd, 2014 at the Mt. Cuba Center trial garden. (n=) early season and (n=) late season are the number of pollinator cultivar has been selected for favorable characteristics such as floral Early season observations: June 27, 2014 to July 16, 2014. Late season observations: July 17, 2014 to August 27, 2014 observations performed on each Coreopsis spp. during each time period. display, disease resistance, or in the case of food plants, flavor and Diameter Disc portion Disc flowers Petal Color (n=) early (n=) late 0.0035 yield. Cultivars can be a superior selection of a species, a hybrid 0.014 Coreopsis Type (cm) diameter (cm) per head Distal - Basal season season C. 'Route 66' 3.99 ± 0.16 0.68 ± 0.025 60.8 ± 3.9 11 cross of two species, or a complex hybrid that arose from many C. 'Lacy Lingerie' 3.27 ± 0.31 0.64 ± 0.081 49.4 ± 1.9 10 0.003 C. 'Little Penny' C. 'Jive' 0.012 generations of cross breeding. An asexually propagated cultivar Jive C. 'Star Cluster' C. verticillata 2.88 ± 0.20 0.57 ± 0.056 47.5 ± 3.5 11 population lacks genotypic variation. Whereas an open-pollinated C. 'Salsa' C. 'Pineapple Pie' C. 'Show Stopper' C. 'Salsa' C. 'Golden Dream' 2.33 ± 0.14 0.34 ± 0.043 119.4 ± 6.8 11 0.0025 0.01 C. 'Golden Gain' 4.12 ± 0.42 0.62 ± 0.056 32.7 ± 2.2 8 plant population has genotypic variation and is “free” to undergo C. 'Golden Dream' C. 'Lacy Lingerie' C. rosea C. 'Redshift' C. 'Full Moon' 4.69 ± 0.35 0.87 ± 0.068 107.4 ± 9.4 11 15 C. 'Pineapple Pie' C. 'Moonbeam' natural selection. The distinction between the methods of breeding 0.002 C. 'Moonbeam' C. 'Golden Gain' 0.008 C. 'Little Penny' 1.27 ± 0.08 0.34 ± 0.031 43.2 ± 7.4 11 15 and propagating cultivars and wild-type species may impact how C. 'Route 66' C. 'Full Moon' C. major C. 'Little Penny' C. 'Salsa' 2.5 ± 0.09 0.61 ± 0.056 101.8 ± 5.1 11 15 C. rose 2.13 ± 0.09 0.58 ± 0.025 72.8 ± 3.8 10 each functions in the ecosystem. This project is driven by a primary 0.0015 0.006 C. 'Golden Dream' C. 'Full Moon' C. 'Zagreb' C. 'verticillata' C . 'Jive' 2.66 ± 0.13 0.71 ± 0.037 121.3 ± 9.7 11 15 C. delphinifolia C. 'Center Stage' question: Does pollinator diversity and abundance vary among C. 'Moonbeam' 2.94 ± 0.21 0.59 ± 0.043 56.7 ± 4.8 11 15 different wild-type species and derived cultivars of a flowering plant 0.001 0.004 C. 'Pineapple Pie' 3.26 ± 0.11 0.83 ± 0.056 148.1 ± 12.0 11 15 genus? C. 'Star Cluster' 3.48 ± 0.29 0.98 ± 0.124 128.1 ± 7.4 15 0.0005 0.002 C. major 4.16 ± 0.10 0.93 ± 0.031 43.2 ± 4.2 15 Cultivars are propagated by humans which implies they do C. delphinifolia 4.29 ± 0.09 0.91 ± 0.043 133.6 ± 3.3 15 not necessarily require a fully functioning reproductive system. The C. 'Show Stopper' 4.35 ± 0.15 0.93 ± 0.031 98.6 ± 4.7 15 patents for Coreopsis ‘Salsa’ and Coreopsis ‘Little Penny’, both 0 0 C. 'Center Stage' 4.38 ± 0.25 0.89 ± 0.068 106.1 ± 4.5 13 included in this evaluation, state that no seeds are produced C. 'Redshift' 4.45 ± 0.26 1.05 ± 0.031 127.9 ± 12.2 15 (Korlipara 2008, Probst 2011). Seed of course is necessary for Within the early season Coreopsis spp., C. ‘Lacy Lingerie’ reproduction and is a valuable food source for animals such as birds attracted significantly more bumble bees per flower than the and insects. Frankie et al. (2005) suggested that the selection of straight species, C. verticillata (Figure 3). Figure 1. Bars represent the grand mean pollinators per flower observed on 12 plant types between 6/27/2014 Figure 6. Bars represent the grand mean pollinators per flower observed on 14 plant types between 7/17/2014 aesthetically pleasing plants without regard for insect visitors may C. ‘Golden Gain’, C. ‘Golden Dream’ and C. ‘Little Penny’ and 7/16/2014 at the Mt. Cuba Center trial garden. Colors represent the proportional contribution of each and 8/27/2014 at the Mt. Cuba Center trial garden. Colors represent the proportional contribution of each attracted significantly less dark bees per flower than the straight reduce the usefulness and attractiveness of the flower for plant type to the grand mean. Coreopsis spp. to the grand mean. pollinators. species, C. verticillata (Figure 4). 0.8 0.4 In addition to quantifying pollinator visitation to Coreopsis spp., C. ‘Route 66’ attracted significantly more honey bees per flower than all the other Coreopsis spp. (Figure 5). we will be measuring pollen production, pollen nutritional content, C. delphinifolia Within the late season Coreopsis spp. observations, C. ‘Redshift’, nectar production, and comparing different methods to sample 0.6 0.3 pollinators. This poster presents results on the observed pollinators C. 'Jive' C. ‘Show Stopper’, C. major, and C. ‘Center Stage’ all attracted C. 'Salsa' significantly more bumble bees per flower than the other Coreopsis per flower and floral syndromes. The overall goal of this project is to 0.2 0.4 C. 'Star Cluster' spp. (Figure 8). help gardeners and growers make informed decisions when C. 'Little Penny' Coreopsis rosea and its two derived cultivars, C. ‘Jive’ and C. choosing native plants for the landscape. C. 'Salsa' 0.1 C. 'Show Stopper' ‘Salsa’, maintained similar pollinator communities (Figure 7). All 0.2 three had very low visitation from bumble bees and honey bees C. rosea C. 'Redshift' Methods C. 'Pineapple Pie' (Figure 3, 8, 5, and 10). The mean number of dark bees was C. 'Moonbeam' 0 C. ‘Jive’ C. 'Center Stage' th th C. 'Full Moon' moderate within this group (Figure 9) From June 27 to August 27 , 2014, four wild species and 0 C. major C. verticillata C. 'Golden Dream' Although superficially similar plants, C. ‘Salsa’ and C. ‘Pineapple thirteen cultivars from the genus Coreopsis (Asteraceae) were C. 'Moonbeam' C. 'Pineapple Pie' evaluated for pollinator visitation and floral characteristics. The -0.1 Pie’ were significantly different in the mean observed bumble bees, C. 'Full Moon' C. 'Zagreb' Coreopsis plants were growing in the Mt. Cuba Center trial garden -0.2 wasps, and dark bees per flower (Figures 8 and 9). Simultaneous vacuum sampling revealed the dark bees to be (Hockessin, Delaware). The trial garden is part of 500 acres of land -0.2 managed by Mt. Cuba Center with an emphasis on native plants and C. 'Golden Gain' 95.4% Halictidae, 2.7% Andrenidae, 0.8% Apidae, 0.5% Colletidae, -0.4 0.5% Megachilidae, and 0.1% Crabronidae (n=2151). ecosystems. The Coreopsis genus was selected because it is native C. 'Lacy Lingerie' C. 'Golden Dream' -0.3 to North America and a great number of cultivars are available on C. 'Route 66' C. 'Little Penny' Discussion the market. -0.6 Non-destructive sampling was performed by marking a 0.6 -1 -0.8 -0.6 -0.4 -0.2 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 -0.4 -0.4 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 Clear variation in preference for certain Coreopsis types was meter square near the center of each flower patch. On each displayed by the different pollinator groups. Analysis of the floral sampling date, the patch was photographed and the number of Figure 2: Distance between points represents dissimilarity between pollinator communities observed Figure 7: Distance between points represents dissimilarity between pollinator communities observed visiting visiting 12 types of Coreopsis spp. between 6/27/2014 and 7/16/2014 at the Mt. Cuba Center trial 14 types of Coreopsis spp. between 7/17/2014 and 8/27/2014 at the Mt. Cuba Center trial garden. Non-metric syndrome (plant height, flower size, flower color, nectar accessibility, open flowers counted. Every 15 seconds for 3 minutes the number garden. Non-metric multidimensional scaling of Bray-Curtis dissimilarity index was employed. multidimensional scaling of Bray-Curtis dissimilarity index was employed. pollen production etc.), time of day, and local weather as predictors of each insect type that contacted the upper surface of a flower of pollinator visitation will be performed to help explain the head was recorded into one of the following groups: honey bee, differences in visitation. Mean bumble bees per flower on Mean dark bees per flower on late bumble bee, large carpenter bee, green sweat bee, Megachilidae, Mean bumble bees per flower on Mean dark bees per flower on early- Bumble bees visiting late season Coreopsis spp. showed [unknown] dark bee, Coleoptera, Syrphidae, Diptera, Lepidoptera, late-season Coreopsis spp. season Coreopsis spp. early season Coreopsis spp. season Coreopsis spp. strong preference for C. ‘Redshift’, C. ‘Show Stopper’, C. ‘Center or wasp. The number of visits by each pollinator type over the 3 0.01 0.01 0.03 A 0.03 A A Stage’ and C. major; moderate preference for C. ‘Full Moon’, C. ‘Star minutes observation was averaged for that period and divided by ABC 0.025 0.025 Cluster’, and C. ‘Pineapple’; and little preference for the rest. No the number of flowers to give mean pollinators per flower. 0.008 0.008 ABC A A bumble bees were detected on C. ‘Salsa’ during 78 minutes of Flower measurements (petal color, maximum flower 0.02 0.02 0.006 A AB observations (n=26). This does not necessarily mean C. ‘Salsa’ is a 0.006 ABC diameter, disc portion diameter, and disc florets per head) were ABC ABC 0.015 0.015 not a good plant for pollinators. taken on July 3rd, 2014. ABCDE 0.004 0.004 BC C. ‘Jive’ and C. ‘Salsa’ are both derived from Coreopsis rosea and BC Due to considerable variation in the overall pollinator BCE 0.01 B BC BCD 0.01 C CD AB all 3 had similar pollinator communities (Figure 7) and mean C CDE BC D DE CD community and plant flowering periods throughout the season, the 0.002 C C 0.002 BC DE BC C 0.005 E pollinators per flower (Figures 8, 9, 10, 11). However, C. ‘Salsa’ and C DE D 0.005 E plants being evaluated were split into two groups. The early season flower per bees dark Mean

CD flower per bees dark Mean E C D D D E C. ‘Jive’ do not set seed and are annuals. Aside from pollinator

Mean bumble bees per flower per bees bumble Mean DE D C C flower per bees bumble Mean E E group includes samples from June 27, 2014 to July 16, 2014. The 0 0 0 0 visitation, those traits should be considered when evaluating the

late season group includes samples from July 17, 2014 to August 27, ecological services of a plant.

C. 'Jive C. C. 'Jive' C.

2014. 'Jive' C.

C. 'Jive C.

C. rosea C.

C. 'Salsa' C.

C. 'Salsa' C. C. major C.

C. 'Salsa' C. Pollinators exhibit differential preference for Coreopsis spp. For

C. rosea C.

C. major C.

C. 'Salsa' C.

C. 'Zagreb' C.

C. 'Zagreb' C.

C. 'Redshift' C. C. 'Route 66' 'Route C.

C. 'Route 66' 'Route C. concerned gardeners, the sort of detailed information presented

C. 'Redshift' C.

C. 'Full Moon' 'Full C.

C. 'Full Moon' 'Full C.

C. 'verticillata' C.

C. 'Full Moon' 'Full C.

C. 'verticillata' C.

C. 'Full Moon' 'Full C.

C. 'Moonbeam' C.

C. 'Moonbeam' C. Penny' 'Little C.

C. delphinifolia C.

C. 'Little Penny' 'Little C.

C. 'Star Cluster' 'Star C.

C. 'Moonbeam' C.

C. 'Little Penny' 'Little C.

C. 'Golden Gain' 'Golden C.

C. 'Golden Gain' 'Golden C.

C. 'Lacy Lingerie' 'Lacy C.

C. delphinifolia C.

C. 'Lacy Lingerie' 'Lacy C.

C. 'Star Cluster' 'Star C.

C. 'Moonbeam' C. C. 'Center Stage' 'Center C.

C. 'Little Penny' 'Little C. here may help guide decisions on what plants to install and help

C. 'Pineapple Pie' 'Pineapple C.

C. 'Pineapple Pie' 'Pineapple C.

C. 'Pineapple Pie' 'Pineapple C.

C. 'Center Stage' 'Center C.

C. 'Show C. Stopper'

C. 'Golden Dream' 'Golden C.

C. 'Golden Dream' 'Golden C.

C. 'Golden Dream' 'Golden C.

C. 'Pineapple Pie' 'Pineapple C. C. 'Show C. Stopper' C. 'Golden Dream' 'Golden C. them understand the interaction that their garden has with the Figure 3. Mean number of bumble bees per flower observed on Figure 4. Mean number of dark bees per flower observed on 12 Figure 8. Mean number of bumble bees per flower observed on Figure 9. Mean number of dark bees per flower observed on 14 12 plant types between 6/27/2014 and 7/16/2014 at the Mt. plant types between 6/27/2014 and 7/16/2014 at the Mt. Cuba 14 plant types between 7/17/2014 and 8/27/2014 at the Mt. plant types between 7/17/2014 and 8/27/2014 at the Mt. Cuba surrounding ecosystem. Cuba Center trial garden. Error bars are standard error. Plant Center trial garden. Error bars are standard error. Plant types Cuba Center trial garden. Error bars are standard error. Plant Center trial garden. Error bars are standard error. Plant types sharing types sharing the same letter were not significantly different sharing the same letter were not significantly different (p>0.05, types sharing the same letter were not significantly different the same letter were not significantly different (p>0.05, Wilcoxon Coreopsis ‘Center Stage’ Coreopsis ‘Star Cluster’ C. ‘Pineapple Pie’ Coreopsis ‘Route 66’ (p>0.05, Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test). Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test). (p>0.05, Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test). Signed-Rank test). Acknowledgements Mean honey bees per flower on early Mean honey bees per flower on late Mean wasps per flower on late season This project was wholly funded by the Mt. Cuba Center, located season Coreopsis spp. season Coreopsis spp. Coreopsis spp. 0.015 0.02 0.006 in Hockessin, Delaware. The Mt. Cuba Center is dedicated to A A AB inspiring an appreciation for the beauty and value of native plants

A 0.005 0.012 and a commitment to protect the habitats that sustain them. 0.015 AB ABC Many people assisted with this project including Christina Coreopsis ‘Jive’ Coreopsis ‘Moonbeam’ Coreopsis ‘Salsa’ Coreopsis ‘Little Penny’ 0.004 Mitchell, James Wolfin, Sabrina Lessner, and George Coombs. 0.009 B Thanks to the lab group for encouragement and support: David 0.01 0.003 B Gardner, Katy Evans, Dr. Deborah Delaney, and Grace Savoy-Burke. 0.006 AB CD B BCD ABC AB BCD 0.002 CDE BCD DE 0.005 BCD D CDE References 0.003 BCDE flower per wasps Mean C

C 0.001 Mean honey bees per flower per bees honey Mean Mean honey bees per flower per bees honey Mean DE DE CD Coreopsis rosea Coreopsis delphinifolia Coreopsis ‘Golden Dream’ Coreopsis major E D Frankie, G. W., Thorp, R. W., Schindler, M., Hernandez, J., Ertter, B., & E E D D D D D D E 0 E DE 0 0 Rizzardi, M. (2005). Ecological Patterns of Bees and Their Host

Ornamental Flowers in Two Northern California Cities. Journal of

C. 'Jive C. C.'Jive

C. 'Jive' C. the Kansas Entomological Society.

C. rosea C.

C.rosea

C. major C.

C. 'Salsa' C.

C.major

C. 'Salsa' C.

C.'Salsa'

C. 'Zagreb' C.

C.'Redshift'

C. 'Redshift' C.

C. 'Route 66' 'Route C.

C.'Full Moon'

C. 'Full Moon' 'Full C.

C. 'Full Moon' 'Full C.

C. 'verticillata' C.

C.delphinifolia

C.'Star Cluster'

C.'Moonbeam'

C.Penny' 'Little

C. delphinifolia C.

C. 'Star Cluster' 'Star C.

C. 'Moonbeam' C.

C. 'Little Penny' 'Little C.

C. 'Moonbeam' C. C. 'Little Penny' 'Little C.

C.'Center Stage' Korlipara, Harini. (2008). Coreopsis Plant Named ‘RP1’ Terra Nova

C. 'Golden Gain' 'Golden C.

C. 'Center Stage' 'Center C.

C.'Pineapple Pie'

C. 'Lacy Lingerie' 'Lacy C.

C.'Show Stopper'

C. 'Pineapple Pie' 'Pineapple C.

C.'Golden Dream'

C. 'Pineapple Pie' 'Pineapple C.

C. 'Show C. Stopper' C. 'Golden Dream' 'Golden C. C. 'Golden Dream' 'Golden C. Nurseries. Patent USPP18502 P2. 18 Feb. 2008. C. ‘Golden Gain’ Coreopsis ‘Zagreb’ C. ‘Lacy Lingerie Coreopsis verticillata Coreopsis ‘Show Stopper’ Figure 5. Mean number of honey bees per flower observed on 12 plant Figure 10. Mean number of honeybees per flower observed on 14 Figure 11. Mean number of wasps per flower observed on 14 plant types between 6/27/2014 and 7/16/2014 at the Mt. Cuba Center trial plant types between 7/17/2014 and 8/27/2014 at the Mt. Cuba types between 7/17/2014 and 8/27/2014 at the Mt. Cuba Center garden. Error bars are standard error. Plant types sharing the same Center trial garden. Error bars are standard error. Plant types trial garden. Error bars are standard error. Plant types sharing the Probst, Darrell R. (2011). Coreopsis Plant Named 'Salsa' Darrell letter were not significantly different (p>0.05, Wilcoxon Signed-Rank sharing the same letter were not significantly different (p>0.05, same letter were not significantly different (p>0.05, Wilcoxon test). Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test). Signed-Rank test). Probst, assignee. Patent USPP22129 P2. 6 Sept. 2011.