Habitat Creation and Management for Native Pollinating Insects at the Manhattan Plant Materials Center, Kansas

P. Allen Casey, Richard L. Wynia, and John M. RowUSDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service

Plant Materials Center, Manhattan, Kansas 66502 – (785)539-8761

IntroductionPollinators are keystone species to which many plants rely on to complete their reproductive lifecycle (Shepherd et al., 2003). Insects are the most numerous group of the pollinators. Some pollinating insects are also considered to be indicator species and can be used to determine ecosystem health (Shepherd et al., 2003). Pollinating insects provide for heterogeneity of the floral gene pool, larger fruit and seed size, and a more even development of fruits or seeds. Bees (Figures 1 and 2) are often the insect pollinators that are commonly referred to, and they are one of the biggest contributors to pollination, but many other types of insect pollinators are involved in pollinating flora.

Figure 1. Bumble bee (Family Apidae) after visiting Cobeapenstemon(Penstemon cobea) flower.

Figure 2. Sweat bee (Family Halictidae) (green, metalicbacked bee at right side of picture) and other insects on Indian Blanket Flower (Gaillardia pulchella).

Study DescriptionDue to the role that pollinating insects have in seed production and the increased problems with using domestic honey bees for commercial applications, there is a need to study and develop better ways to manage native pollinating insects. Pollinating insects will play a vital role in the commercial production of native seed for land reclamation and restoration projects in the future. The increased demand for native plants and native plant seeds for ecological rehabilitation applications increases the need for demonstration projects and research on native insect pollinators and native plant interactions. Projects and studies at the Manhattan Plant Materials Center (PMC) have been and will be implemented to survey for and to create artificial nesting habitat for native pollinating insects that occur at the PMC. Based on the results of these initial surveys and habitat projects, other management may be implemented to target specific species.

MethodsTrap nest were made from 4”x 6” softwood blocks. Holes were drilled that were 5/16” and 1/4” x5” deep. Blocks were attached to recycled plastic fence posts (Figure 3). They were set in areas near seed production fields with a high probability of attracting pollinators (Figure 4). Trap nests will be monitored periodically to document use and to identify species that are utilizing nests. Pan traps and aerial net capture methods will be used to capture pollinating insects. Aerial net capture and pan trapping will be done roughly between 9 am and 2 pm on warm (>68 F) and sunny (<60% cloud cover) days that have average wind speeds of less than 5 m/s (11 mph) (Hopwood, 2008).

Figure 3. PMC Staff placing trap nest in tree row near seed production fields for use by native pollinating insects

Figure 4. Newly installed trap nest for native pollinator habitat.

Methods (cont.)Pan traps of different colors will be constructed and placed at varying heights to attempt to capture a representative sample of pollinating insects. Aerial net (Figure 5) capture will be used to sweep insects off of flowers. A malaise trap (Figure 6) will also be used in areas likely for multiple species of flying pollinating insects to be captured. Insects from all trapping methods will be identified as close to the species level as possible.A North American Butterfly Association (NABA) Butterfly Count will be started that will include the PMC and will provide population data specific to butterflies. The NABA count will occur each year, allowing for monitoring of butterfly populations over time.

ResultsSpecies and utilization data will be used to determine what future studies will be initiated and what best management practices (BMPs) should be implemented. Other studies might target specific species, include different habitat projects, or other management practices to attract and utilize native pollinating insects.Results from this study could be used in technical notes, poster papers, newsletter articles, oral paper presentations, or refereed journal articles.

Figure 5. Aerial net. Used to capture insects by sweeping net back and forth in vegetation. It can also be used to capture single insects that are observed.

TFigure 6. Malaise

rap. Used to capture flying insects. Insects fly into it and are funneled into the collection jar at the top.

Literature CitedHopwood, J.L. 2008. The Contribution of roadside grassland

restorations to native bee conservation. Biological Conservation 141: 2632-2640.

Shepherd, M., S.L. Buchmann, M. Vaughan, and S.H. Black. 2003. Pollinator Conservation Handbook. XercesSociety in Association with The Bee Works. Portland, Oregon.

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