A citizen science project by Penn State involving trained volunteers has led to the discovery of eight new bee species in Pennsylvania, bringing the total number of documented bee species in the state to 437. The study, recently published in the Annals of the Entomological Society of America, involved collecting and identifying bees from across the state.
Among the volunteers was Kevin Thomas, who captured 400 assorted bees in his backyard outside of Erie, including the first documented sighting of Sphecodes davisii, a cuckoo sweat bee, in Pennsylvania. The study also found species such as Andrena duplicata, Nomada banski, and Hylaeus punctatus, each with unique characteristics and habitats.
The study aimed to expand knowledge of bee biodiversity in the state and compare methods of monitoring bees, from capturing and preserving specimens to crowd-sourcing through apps like iNaturalist. While the study involved killing over 9,000 bees for research purposes, the scientific value of preserving specimens for future analysis was emphasized.
The findings highlight the need for continued efforts to study and monitor bee populations, especially in light of challenges like colony collapse disorder and declining bee populations. Both trained volunteer collections and public reports through crowd-sourced platforms play a crucial role in understanding and protecting the vital role bees play in biodiversity and food security.
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Photo credit www.spotlightpa.org
