Nesting Preferences of Native Megachile rotundata and Osmia lingnaria Solitary Bees
Advisor Information
Karen Murch-Shafer
Location
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
4-3-2016 9:00 AM
End Date
4-3-2016 10:30 AM
Abstract
Native bees in Nebraska play a critical role in maintaining the biodiversity in ecosystem by pollinating several species of native flora. The focus of this research was to use different material to determine the nesting preferences of bees in the Megachilidae family, in particular those in the genus of Megachile (leafcutter bees) and Osmia (mason bees). Bees in the Megachilidae family live solitary lives and each female is capable of reproduction. Leafcutter and mason bees like to make their nests in small tunnel like cavities within natural materials such as twigs and wood. Previous studies have used artificial nest cavities of different materials to attract leafcutter and mason bees, but it is still unclear which material the bees prefer. Five nests were assembled, each housing four different materials: phragmites, wood, cardboard and paper. The nests were setup at five different locations at Glacier Creek. Every week, the nests were checked for change in hole depths and mud walls, which would indicate an inhabitant. Even though we were not able to determine the preferred nesting materials for our intended genus of bees, the nests did attract potter wasps of the genus Ancistrocerus and Monobia. More specifically, the paper tubes had the most inhabitants compared to the other materials, while the cardboard tubes had no inhabitants at all.
Nesting Preferences of Native Megachile rotundata and Osmia lingnaria Solitary Bees
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
Native bees in Nebraska play a critical role in maintaining the biodiversity in ecosystem by pollinating several species of native flora. The focus of this research was to use different material to determine the nesting preferences of bees in the Megachilidae family, in particular those in the genus of Megachile (leafcutter bees) and Osmia (mason bees). Bees in the Megachilidae family live solitary lives and each female is capable of reproduction. Leafcutter and mason bees like to make their nests in small tunnel like cavities within natural materials such as twigs and wood. Previous studies have used artificial nest cavities of different materials to attract leafcutter and mason bees, but it is still unclear which material the bees prefer. Five nests were assembled, each housing four different materials: phragmites, wood, cardboard and paper. The nests were setup at five different locations at Glacier Creek. Every week, the nests were checked for change in hole depths and mud walls, which would indicate an inhabitant. Even though we were not able to determine the preferred nesting materials for our intended genus of bees, the nests did attract potter wasps of the genus Ancistrocerus and Monobia. More specifically, the paper tubes had the most inhabitants compared to the other materials, while the cardboard tubes had no inhabitants at all.