This blog post explores the findings of a recent study that examined the relationship between managed honey bees and native wild bees in urban environments. The research suggests that planting late-season flowering plants and providing nesting resources can help support both honey bee and wild bee populations in cities. Pollinator conservation is crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems and food production.
Unraveling the Honey Bee-Wild Bee Relationship
Researchers at Penn State have conducted a groundbreaking study that sheds light on the complex interactions between managed honey bees and their native counterparts. The study, the largest of its kind, examined 33 genera of wild bees and found that only a small number were negatively impacted by the presence of honey bee apiaries.
According to the lead author, Gabriela Quinlan, the findings will help identify the groups of bees that may be most at-risk and guide the development of effective conservation strategies. The study revealed that certain bee genera, such as long-horned bees, ground-nesting bees, and those that specialize on specific flowering plants, were more vulnerable to the effects of urban development and the presence of managed honey bee colonies.
Disentangling the Factors: Apiaries vs. Urbanization
The researchers sought to understand the relative impact of honey bee apiaries and urban land development on wild bee populations. They found that the six bee genera most affected by these factors showed different responses to the two factors.
For example, the abundance of long-horned bees in the genus Svastra was most negatively impacted by apiary density, while the abundance of another long-horned bee, Florilegus, was most associated with the degree of urbanization. This highlights the complex and interconnected nature of these ecological relationships, as the researchers also found that the decline of certain bee genera, like the cuckoo bee Triepeolus, was likely linked to the negative impact on its host, the long-horned bee Svastra.
The researchers emphasize the importance of considering bees as communities, not just individual species, to fully understand the dynamics at play.
Cultivating Solutions for Urban Pollinators
The study’s findings provide valuable insights into how to support both managed and wild bee populations in urban environments. The researchers suggest that planting late-season flowering plants and leaving bare ground for nesting resources can help alleviate the stressors that urban development and the presence of honey bee apiaries can have on vulnerable bee genera.
Additionally, beekeepers can play a role in supporting pollinator health by managing pests and diseases within their honey bee colonies, which can reduce the potential for disease transmission to wild bees. By adopting these strategies, we can create more sustainable and resilient urban ecosystems that benefit both the managed and native pollinators that are essential for our food production and the overall health of the environment.
To further our understanding of these dynamics, the researchers are developing automated monitoring systems for bees and other insects through the INSECT NET graduate training program at Penn State. This will enable more comprehensive studies in different regions, providing a clearer picture of how various bee species respond to the pressures of urbanization and the presence of managed honey bee populations.
