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NancyLeeAdamson,PhDPollinatorConserva3onSpecialist

XercesSocietyforInvertebrateConserva3on&USDA-NRCSEastNa3onalTechnology

SupportCenter,Greensboro,NC

HabitatManagementtoSupportPollinators&OtherBeneficialInsects

bumblebee&hedge-neLle(akawoundwort),Stachyssp.BlueRidgeParkway,July2015

Photo:NancyAdamson

Photo:NancyAdamson

meadownearCarthage,NC

XercesSociety&NRCSpartneringforconservaGon

Xerces-NRCSpartnerbiologistssupportpollinatorhabitatcreaGonandmanagement,whichbenefitsotherbeneficialinsectsandwildlife

Since1971,theXercesSocietyhasworkedtoprotectwildlifethroughtheconserva3onofinvertebratesandtheirhabitat.

XercesbluebuLerfly(Glaucopsychexerces),thefirstU.S.buLerflytogoex3nctduetohumanac3vi3es.www.xerces.org

Photo:NancyAdamson

2008&2014FarmBillPollinatorHabitatProvisions

• PollinatorsapriorityforallUSDAlandmanagers&conservaGonists• EncouraginginclusionofpollinatorsinallUSDAconservaGonprograms--addingdiversitytoplantmixes&promo9ngIPMatNRCS

sweatbee,Agapostemonsp.onannualsunflower,Helianthusannuus

hLp://plants.usda.gov/pollinators/nrcsdocuments.html

TalkOutline

Photo:NancyAdamson

•  PollinatorsmaLer!-  Healthupdate-  Mul3plebenefitsof

pollinatorhabitat•  Yourplan3ngsmaLer!

-  Basicbee&otherinsectbiology,e.g.habitatneeds

-  Videoofpollinatorsonna3veplantsthroughthegrowingseason

-  Na3veplantsforpollinators(highlights)

•  FarmBillprograms•  Addi3onalresources

bumblebeeonblazingstar,Liatrisspicata

PollinatorsmaTer!!

Photo:NancyAdamson

greensweatbeeonblueberry

• Self-pollinaGon:transferwithinaflowerorflowersofthesameplant

• Cross-pollinaGon:transferbetweenplants

• Self-ferGle:don’trequirecross-pollina3on,butqualityandyieldimprovewithcross-pollina3on

PollinaGon

Photo:NancyAdamson

PollinaGonisthetransferofpollengrainsfromtheanther(male)tosGgma(female)ofthesameoranotherflower.

bumblebees,Bombusimpa9ens,onmalesquashflower

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FoodthatdependsoninsectpollinaGon• 35%ofcropproduc3on,worldwide• Over$18to$27billionvalueofcropsinU.S.($217billionworldwide)

• Oneinthreemouthfulsoffoodanddrinkweconsume

PollinaGonandHumanNutriGon

Photo:USDA-ARS/PeggyGreb

MorseRA,CalderoneNW.2000.ThevalueofhoneybeesaspollinatorsofU.S.cropsin2000.BeeCulture128:1–15.Kleinetal.2007.Importanceofpollinatorsinchanginglandscapesforworldcrops.Proc.R.Soc.B274:303-313.

HighvaluecropsinVApollinatedbybees•  Apples$33mill.(2010VDACS)Industryvalue$235mill.(2010VAAppleBoard)•  Cucurbits$8mill.—cucurbitsincludesquash,cucumbers,cantaloupe,pumpkin(2006VDACS)

ImportanceofPollinators:VAAgriculture*

Photo:NancyAdamson

*VADept.ofAgriculture&ConsumerServices(VDACS)

longhornedbee,Melissodesbimaculata,oncucurbit

Improvedyield**withcross-pollinaGon•  Soybeans$165mill.•  Tomatoes$52mill.•  CoLon$46mill.•  CoLonseed$6mill.

ImportanceofPollinators:VAAgriculture*

Photo:NancyAdamson

*2010VADepartmentofAgriculture**10-15%increasedyieldforsoybeansandcoLon

bumblebeeonpinkeyedpurplehuskpea

miningbee,Andrenasp.onblueberry

ImportanceofPollinators:VAAgriculture

Photo:NancyAdamson

Dependonalfalfa&cloverseeds• CaLle$373mill.• Hay~1/3of$72mill.

Berries&otherspecialtycropsimportant,too!• Blueberries• Caneberries(raspberry&blackberry)• Strawberries• Muscadinegrapes(scuppernongs)

Photo: Nancy Adamson

PollinatorHealth

bumblebeeonwingstem,

Verbesinaalternifolia

Photo:NancyAdamson

Winterlosses• Pre-CCD(1995-2006):15%-22%• Post-CCD(2006-today):22%-36%Annuallosses(2012-2015):34%-45%

Honeybee*declinein2006**broughtbeehealthtonaGonalagenda

*Non-na3ves,EuropeanhoneybeesarrivedinNorthAmericainthe1600s.**ColonyCollapseDisorder(CCD)anddiseasesassociatedwithvarroamite

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NorthAmerica’sBumbleBees•  1-in-4atriskofex3nc3ontoday•  2014IUCN&XercesSocietyStatusReview

Bumblebeesalsoindecline

52

5

128

5Cri3callyEndangered

Endangered

Vulnerable

NearThreatened

LeastConcern

DataDeficient

Yellowbanded

Photos:©LeifRichardson(yellowbanded),©JenKnutson(rustypatched)

Rustypatched

Massbeekillscon3nuetobereportedaroundtheglobe:• BumblebeesinphotosabovekilledinOregon2014--othersreportedsubsequently• HoneybeesinCanadaandCAalmondorchards

Despiteincreasedawarenesssince2006,conGnuedlosses

Honeybeesphoto:DanGunderson,MNPublicRadio.Bumblebeephotos:RichHasield(XercesSociety);TheOregonian

Graph:Steinhaueretal2015.hLp://beeinformed.org/

Someofthehighestlosseseverin2013&2014,moremassdie-offsin2015&2016

Kohetal.2016.Modelingthestatus,trends,andimpactsofwildbeeabundanceintheUnitedStates.ProceedingsoftheNa3onalAcademyofSciences.OnlineDecember21,2015.doi:10.1073/pnas.1517685113.

EsGmatedwildbeedeclines

Between2008and2013,wildbeeabundancedeclined23%acrosstheUS.

MonarchBuTerflyDecline&NaGonalFrameworkforConservaGon

Inthe1990s,100sofmillionsofmonarchsmadetheepicflighteachfallfromthenorthernplainsoftheU.S.andCanadatositesintheoyamelfirforestsnorthofMexicoCity.In2013,only33millionmadethattrip.

Photo:WorldWildlifeFund

U.S.FishandWildlifeService“HighLevelMonarchWorkingGroup”• Partners:Agencyheads,ForestService,Na3onalParkService,BureauofLandManagement,FederalHighwayAdministra3on,NaturalResourcesConserva3onServiceandothers.• WorkingwiththeU.S.GeologicalSurveyPowellCentertodevelopmodelsandtoolstoaidinconserva3on.

Areaofforestoccupiedbycoloniesofhiberna3ngmonarchsinMexico.(GraphcourtesyoftheMonarchJointVenture).

MonarchBuTerflyDecline

North American monarchs are at an all time low.

NaGonalStrategytoPromotePollinatorHealth,May2015

FromWhiteHouse:NaGonalStrategytoPromotetheHealthofHoneyBees&OtherPollinators1. Reducehoneybeecolonylossestoeconomicallysustainablelevels;2. IncreasemonarchbuLerflynumberstoprotecttheannualmigra3on;an3. Restoreorenhancemillionsofacresoflandforpollinatorsthroughcombinedpublicandprivateac3on.AttheStatelevel,EPAreques9ngPollinatorStewardshipPlans.Thesearenotlegallybindinginanyway.Somestatesareonlyfocusingonmanagedpollinators,butvaluabletoolforraisingawareness--importanttohighlightallpollinators,especiallyagriculturallyimportantna9vewildbees.SeeVDACSinfo

hLp://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/plant-industry-services-pollinator-protec3on-plan.shtml

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monarchonironweed,

Vernonianoveboracensis

Photo:JudyS3erand,NCNa3vePlantSociety

AlsoinMay2015,USDA&DepartmentofInteriorreleasedPollinator-FriendlyBestManagementPrac<cesforFederalLands

FederalBMPsforPollinator-FriendlyLands

hLp://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/BMPs/

(2008&)2014USDAFarmBillPollinatorHabitatProvisions

• PollinatorsareapriorityforeveryUSDAlandmanagerandconserva3onist• Encouragesinclusionofpollinatorsinallconserva3onprograms• Iden3fiespollinatorhabitatasapriorityforEQIP• RequiresthatpollinatorsareconsideredinthereviewofPrac3ceStandardsContactyourlocalNRCSDistrictConservaGonisttolearnmore,www.va.nrcs.usda.gov

bumblebeeonblueberry

Photo:NancyAdamsonhLp://plants.usda.gov/pollinators/nrcsdocuments.html

About700speciesofbuLerflies&13,000speciesofmothsinUS

Photo:NancyAdamson

MeetthePollinators:BuTerfliesandMoths

long-tailedskipperEpargyreusclarus

Photo:NancyAdamson

hummingbirdmothonironweed,Vernonianoveboracens

MeetthePollinators:BuTerfliesandMoths

MeetthePollinators:Flies

Photo:NancyAdamson

syrphidflyonspiderwort,

Tradescan9asp.

MeetthePollinators:Beetles

deltaflowerscarabandother3nybeetleonmountainmint,Pycnanthemumsp.

Photo:NancyAdamson

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great golden digger wasp on dogbane

Photo:NancyAdamson

MeetthePollinators:Wasps

greatgoldendiggerwasponwingstem,Verbesinaalternifolia

MeetthePollinators:Bees(thegreatpollenmovers)

Photo:NancyAdamson

bumblebeeonsquash

Beediet(pollen&nectar)&hairinessmakethemespeciallyeffec3vepollinators

Bees:TheMostImportantPollinators

bumblebees&honeybeescollec3ngsquashnectar

Photo:NancyAdamson

Bees are the most agriculturally important pollinators •  Bees actively collect and transport pollen •  Bees exhibit flower constancy

•  Bees regularly forage in area around nest

.

BeesevolvedtobeTercollectpollen&nectar!

Beesevolvedfromwaspsintovegetarians

Photos:RalphHozenthal,MaceVaughan,SteveBuchmann

longtongues

scopa:pollen-carryinghairs(onabdomenofmegachilidbees;onhindlegsofmostspecies;

bumblebees&honeybeeshavepollenbaskets,corbicula)

branchedhair

leafcuLer(akamegachilid)bee

bumblebee

Example:Blueorchardbee

• 250to750females/acrecomparedto1to2.5hives(25-50k)ofhoneybees

• Makecontactwithantherands3gmaonalmosteveryvisit

• Ac3veatlowlightlevelsandlowtemperatures• 33+hoursforagingin5days• 15+hoursbyhoneybees

Photos:EricMader,MaceVaughan

Bosch,J.andW.Kemp.2001.HowtoManagetheBlueOrchardBeeasanOrchardPollinator.SustainableAgricultureNetwork.Beltsville,MD.88pp.

Solitary(vscolonial)beesveryefficient,collecGngpollen&nectareverytrip

SquashBees

• Ground-nes3ngdirectlyatthebaseofsquashplants

• Ac3veinearlymorninghours(beforesunrise)

• Pollinateflowersbeforehoneybeesbeginforaging1

• 67%of87sitesstudiedacrosstheU.S.hadallpollina3onneedsmetbysquashbees2

NaGvebeespecialistsincludesquash,blueberry,andokrabees

1. Tepedino,V.J.1981.Thepollina3onefficiencyofthesquashbee(Peponapispruinosa)andthehoneybee(Apismellifera)onsummersquash(Cucurbitapepo).JournaloftheKansasEntomologicalSociety54:359-377.

2. JimCane(USDAARSLoganBeeLab).2011.Personalcommunica3on

Photo:NancyAdamson

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BuzzpollinaGonbynaGvebees

Greenleaf,S.S.,andC.Kremen.2006.Wildbeespeciesincreasetomatoproduc3onandresponddifferentlytosurroundinglanduseinNorthernCalifornia.BiologicalConserva3on133:81-87.

Example:CherrytomatoesWhenna3vebeeswerepresent,Sungoldcherrytomatoproduc3onalmosttripled.Videoonlinehighlightsbuzzpollina3on:hLps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_etyEdu9fQ

Sungoldtomatosphoto:AnneBerblinger.Beephotos:NancyAdamson

andrenidbeeshoneybee

Wildpollinators:BeTerqualitypollinaGon

BeQerqualitypollina9onrelatestocross-pollina9on,theabilitytobuzzpollinate,andotherwaysbeesinteractwithflowers.

Garibaldi, L. A. et al.. 2013. Wild pollinators enhance fruit set of crops regardless of honey bee abundance. Science 339 (6127) : 1608-1611.

2013researchhighlightsimportanceofnaGvebees:Wildbeesimprovedfruitsettwiceasmuchashoneybees.

Weneedhoneybeessincewecanmanagethemandmovethemtocropswhenneeded--beTerprotecGngnaGvebeesbenefitsallbees…

Photos:NancyAdamson

SWVAStudy2008–9:ThreequartersofflowervisitorswerenaGvebees

NaGve(wild)beeabundanceinVirginiacrops

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Adamson,N.L.,T.H.Roulston,R.D.Fell,D.E.Mullins.2012.FromApriltoAugust—wildbeespollina3ngcropsthroughthegrowingseasoninVirginia,USA.EnvironmentalEntomology41(4):813–821.

Photos:NancyAdamson

Insectpollinatorsareecologicalkeystones

Morethan85%offloweringplantsrequireananimal,mostlyinsects,tomovepollen.

Photo:EricMader

Ollerton,J.,R.Winfree,andS.Tarrant.2011.Howmanyfloweringplantsarepollinatedbyanimals?Oikos120:321-326.doi:10.1111/j.1600-0706.2010.18644.x.PoLs,S.G.,J.C.Biesmeijer,C.Kremen,P.Neumann,O.Schweiger,andW.E.Kunin.2010.Globalpollinatordelines:trends,impactsanddrivers.TrendsinEcologyandEvolun3on.25(6):345-353.

BenefitstoOtherWildlife:•  Pollinator-producedfruitsandseedscomprise25%oftheglobalbirdandmammaldiets

•  Pollinatorsarefoodforotherwildlife

•  Pollinatorhabitatisdirectlycompa3blewiththeneedsofotherwildlife,suchassongbirds

Bugsdrivethesystem

Mace Vaughan

Bearphoto:©SierraVisionStock.Otherphotos:NancyAdamson

Fruitsandseedsareamajorpartofthedietofmanyinsects,about25%ofbirds,andmanymammals

Photos:MarieReed,USDAARS

MulGplebenefitsofpollinatorhabitat

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Pollinatorsandotherinsectsarefoodforwildlife,including89%ofbirds

MulGplebenefitsofpollinatorhabitat

Photo:JeffVanuga,NRCSPhoto:TerrySpivey,USFS

Photos:MaceVaughan,PaulJepson,MarioAmbrosino

ConservaGonBiologicalControlFloweringplantsthatsupportpollinatorsalsosupportpredatoryandparasi3cinsects

Syrphidflydrinkingraspberrynectar

Soldierbeetle

Parasitoidwasp

Ladybirdbeetle

MulGplebenefitsofpollinatorhabitat

SomeflyandbeetlelarvaeareimportantpestpredatorsorparasitoidsTheyoverwinterinleafliLerorundersoillayer

Photo:AlexWild

Manylarvaeareimportantpredators,butasadultsdependonfloralresources

syrphidflylarva(akahoverflyorflowerfly)ea3nganaphid

Addingmilkweedasanectarsourceforaparasitoidflyledto5XgreaterparasiGzaGonofsoutherngreensGnkbug

Photo:NancyAdason

commonmilkweed,

Asclepiassyriaca

Beneficialinsecthabitat(G.TillmanStudy,GA)

Tillman,P.G.,&Carpenter,J.E.(2014).Milkweed(Gen3anales:Apocynaceae):AFarmscapeResourceforIncreasingParasi3smofS3nkBugs(Hemiptera:Pentatomidae)andProvidingNectartoInsectPollinatorsandMonarchBuLerflies.Environmentalentomology,43(2),370-376.

tachinidfly,Trichopodapennipes

Tachinidflyphoto:MarvinSmith(WikimediaCommons).Milkweedphoto:NancyAdamson

Floweringcovercropssupportparasitoids

Nectarsources(buckwheat)insoybeansupportedincreased(2½Gmes)parasiGzaGonofbrownsGnkbugs(GlynnTillman,USDAARS,CropProtec3on&ManagementResearchLab,Ti�on,GA,manuscriptinprogress)

Telenomuspodisifemaleparasi3zings3nkbugeggs

adultbrowns3nkbug

Photo:RussOLens

Photo:hLp://zoo.bio.ufpr.br/biocontrol/entomofauna.htmlLaboratoriodeControleIntegradodeInsetos(LCII)

hLp://www.ars.usda.gov/research/projects/projects.htm?accn_no=420801

ResearchbyDaveBiddinger,PennStateUniversityPhotos:AlexSuricia,NancyAdamsonJenniferHopwood,ScoLSeigfried

NaturalenemiesofpestsGnkbugneedfloralresourcesasadults

SandwaspsfeedbrownmarmoratedsGnkbugstotheiryoung(researchinprogressatPenn.StateUniversity)Nectarsourcesincludemilkweed(Asclepiasspp.),mountainmint(Pycnanthemumspp.)&spoLedbeebalm(Monardapunctata);solitarywaspsnotdefensive

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HowcanwebeTersupportpollinators&otherinsects?

Strengthenhabitatandpes3cideprotec3ontosupportdiversepollinators&otherwildlife—

• Plant&conservena3veplants(orcovercrops)

• Reducepes3cideuse

Photos:NancyAdamson

Photo:NancyAdamson

HabitatNeeds

malesweatbees,Halictusligatus,shelteringfromtherainunderwingstemflowers

NaGveBeeDiversity

Photo:SamDroege,USGS,BeeInventoryandMonitoringLab,www.flickr.com/usgsbiml

southeasternblueberrybeeHabropodalaboriosa

>3,600na3vebeespeciesintheUS—mostaresolitaryspecies,notcolonial~700na3vebeespeciesintheeasternUS~500inVirginia

Specialistbeeseatpollenonlyfromonegenusorfamily,butmaycollectnectarfromotherplants.

NaGveBeeNesGng–3BroadGroups

Photos:ElaineEvans,SteveJavorek,EricMader

bumblebees(social)ground-nes3ngbees(solitary)

polyesterbee,Colletesinaequlis

Bombusimpa9ens

orchardmasonbee,Osmialignaria

cavity-nes3ngbees(solitary)

Lifecycleofabumblebeecolony

Winter: Hibernating queen

Spring: Nest establishment and egg laying

Summer: Colony peak Fall: Old queen dies

Fall: New queens leave the nest and mate

Fall: Mated queens seek overwintering sites

Illustra3on:DavidWysotski

Bumblebees,Bombusspp.

Bumblebeenestphotos:ElaineEvans.Bumblebeeoncloverphoto:NancyAdamson

•  45speciesinU.S.,~26inEast,~18inVA•  Socialcoloniesfoundedbysinglequeen•  Annualcolonies--lastonlyoneseason•  Nestmaycontain25-400workers•  Nestsinabandonedrodentburrowsorunderlodgedgrasses

Conservebrushpiles,un-mowedareas

Bombus vagans on clover

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Photos:MaceVaughan,MaLhewShepherd,BonnieCarruthers,NancyAdamson

Conserveundisturbedorunmowedareas;protectpossibleoverwinteringsitesforqueens•  Cavi3essuchasoldrodentholes•  Underbrushpiles&overgrownareas•  UnderbunchgrassesExcellenthabitatforgroundnes<ngbirds,too!

Shelterforbumblebees

liLlebluestemAr3ficialnestsineffec3ve(butmousepeehelps!)

Photos:DennisBriggs,NancyAdamson

Lifecycleofasolitarybee

Miningbee(Andrenasp.):ayearinitsundergroundnestasegg,larva,andpupabeforeemergingtospendafewweeksasanadult.

CavityortunnelnesGngbees

Hollowstemexample:

Silkcocoonswithdormantbeesinside Mudcapclosure

Larva Pupa Adult

Pollenmass Egg Mudwall

Cross-sec3onofsilkcocoons

Ground-nesGngsolitarybees

Undergroundnest&larvaphotos:JimCane,DennisBriggs.Anthophoridbeesphoto:FlorrieFunk.Miningbeephotos:NancyAdamson

miningbeeAndrenabarbara

Roughly70%ofbeespeciesbuildnestsunderground

(oVenaggregatenests)

Provideforage,scoutfornests,conservesandysoil&bareground

anthophoridbeeAnthophoraabrupta

Photos:NancyAdamson

GroundnesGng:Miningordiggerbees

Andrena• Earlyspring(generally)• Nestinwell-drainedsoils,aggregate• Importantfortreefruitandberries

Scoutfor&conservenes<ngsites

maleso�ensmallerthanfemales

apple

blueberry

Treesnagphoto:MaLhewShepherd.Larva&adultphoto:©EdwardRoss.Adultinblackberry:NancyAdamson

smallcarpenterbees↑↓

Cavityortunnel-nesGngsolitarybees

Roughly30%nestinhollowplantstems,oroldbeetleborerholes

Provideforage,conservesnags,brushpiles&pithy-stemmedplants.Leave

deadplantmaterialoverwinter.

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CavityortunnelnesGng:Masonororchardbees

Osmia• Smalltomediumsize,robustbuild• Usuallymetallicblueorgreen• Widebodiesandheads• Scopaonundersideofabdomen• Ac3veinspringandearlysummer

scopa

scopa

O.collinsiaeonoxalis

O.virgaonapple

O.cornifronsorO.taurus(introduced)onblueberry

Osmiacollinsoniaphoto:T’aiRoulston,UVA.Otherphotos:NancyAdamson

Conservesnags,brushpiles&pithy-stemmedplants

Photos:EricMader,EdwardS.Ross,JenniferHopwood,NancyAdamson

TunnelnesGng:LeafcuTerbees

Megachile•  Smalltolargesize• Widebodiesandheads• Dark,typicallywithpalestripes•  Scopaonundersideofabdomen• M.rotundataintro’dforalfalfaseed

scopablanketflower,Gaillardia

M.mendicaonblackberrry

Conservesnags,brushpiles&pithy-stemmedplants

•  asters(variousgenera)•  Cirsium,na3vethistles•  Chrysopsis,goldenaster•  Cucurbita,squash•  Helianthus,sunflowers•  Hibiscus,rosemallow•  Ipomoea,wildpotatovine• Oenothera,primroses•  Physalis,groundcherry•  Pityopsis,silkgrass•  Salix,willows•  Strophostyles,fuzzybean•  Vaccinium,blueberry•  Vernonia,ironweed•  Viola,violet…manymore

Photo:NancyAdamson

sunflowerbee,SvastraorEucerasp.

Someflowerswithpollenspecialistbees

hLp://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/flower_insects/hLp://jarrodfowler.com/specialist_bees.html

Lepidopterafoodneeds:Host&nectarplants

Photos:MaceVaughan,JolieGoldenetzDollar

Monarchcaterpillarandadultonmilkweed,Asclepiastuberosa

LarvaeeatonlyspecifichostplantsAdultssipnectarfrommanytypes

Photo:NancyAdamson

Co-evoluGonhasledtomanyspecialists

yuccamoths,Tege9culayuccasella

Lepidopterafoodneeds:Caterpillarsarehostspecific

Photo:MarkRose,NCNa3vePlantSociety

LepidopteranesGng—aseasytomissasbeesnesGng…morefiresensiGve

mourningcloakbuLerflyeggsNymphalisan9opa

onelm,Ulmusparviflora

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Photo:NancyAdamson

YourNaGvePlanGngsMaTer!

sunflowerbeeonbrown-eyedSusan,

Rudbeckiatriloba

Video:Na3veplantsofthemid-Atlan3csupportdiversepollinatorshLps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhC5iY0ijJM

RestoringPollinatorHabitat

.

Easy

LessEasy

• Protec3ngnaturallydiverseareas(notexactlyeasy…)• Managingforearlysuccessionalhabitat(fallow,mowingtomaintainna3vewildflowers/shrubs/berries,3mberthinning,prescribedfire)• Diversefloweringcovercrops• Establishingna3vehedgerows• Establishingna3vewildflowermeadows

A Spectrum of Approaches

Photo:NancyAdamson

Beeandotherinsectdiversityimprovescropproduc3onandbenefitsotherwildlife--birds,mammals,amphibian,rep3les…

Insectdiversityincreaseswithplantdiversity

Photo:EricMader

Carvell,C.,W.R.Meek,R.F.Pywell,D.GoulsonandM.Nowakowski.2007.Comparingtheefficacyofagri-environmentschemestoenhancebumblebeeabundanceanddiversityonarablefieldmargins.JofAppliedEcology44:29-40.PoLs,S.G.,B.Vulliamy,A.Dafni,G.Ne’eman,andP.G.Willmer.2003.Linkingbeesandflowers:howdofloralcommuni3esstructurepollinatorcommuni3es?Ecology84:2628-2642.Tscharntke,T.A.,A.Gathmann,andI.Steffan-Dewenter.1998.Bioindica3onusingtrap-nes3ngbeesandwaspsandtheirnaturalenemiesandinterac3ons.JofAppliedEcology35:708-719.

BiggerisbeTerforpollinators,predators,andparasitoids•  Largerwildflowerplan3ngssupportgreaterbiologicalcontrolwithoutincreasingherbivoredensity(Blaauw&Isaacs2012)

•  Farmerscanenhancediversityinmarginalareasandfieldborders,whilealsoincreasingdiversitywithincrops

Blaauw,B.R.andR.Isaacs.2012.Largerwildflowerplan3ngsincreasenaturalenemydensity,diversity,andbiologicalcontrolofsen3nelprey,withoutincreasingherbivoredensity.EcologicalEntomology.DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2311.2012.01376.x.

Photo:JenniferHopwood

Howmuchhabitatisneeded?

NaturalAreasCaseStudy:CanolainCanadaIntheabsenceofhoneybees,canolagrowersmakemoremoneyontheirlandif30%isinnaturalhabitat,ratherthanplan3ngitall.

FallowpatchescanenhanceproducGvityinpollinatordependentcrops

Photo:MaceVaughan

Morandin,L.,andM.Winston.2006.Pollinatorsprovideeconomicincen3vetopreservenaturallandinagroecosystems.Agriculture,EcosystemsandEnvironment116:289-292.

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2.4

km

2.4 km

GraphiccourtesyofLoraMorandin

NaturalAreas:FallowCroplandCaseStudy

Habitatthroughthegrowingseason

Photos:ElaineHaugNRCS,MaLhewShepherd;MaceVaughan,EricMader,JeffMcMillanNRCS,BerryBotanicGarden,NancyAdamson

maple,Acer

wildindigo,Bap9sia

goldenrod,Solidago,Euthamia,Oligoneuron

willow,Salix

mountainmint,Pycnanthemum

aster,Eurybia.Symphyotrichum,Ionac9s

blazingstar,Liatris

Pollinators,predators,&parasitoidsneedfood(nectar,pollen,orprey)andrefugewhencropsareharvestedorpes3cidesused.

TheHabitatAssessmentProcess

AssessingLandforPollinatorValue

•  Asubjec3veprocess• Quan3fycharacteris3cs

§  Landscape-level§  Site-level

•  XercesHabitatAssessmentGuide

/

Photo:NikkiSiebert

Willprovidinghabitatincreasepestpressure?

MorediverseisbeTer:Naturalenemypopula3onsarehigher&pestpressureislowerincomplexpatchylandscapeswithfallowfields,fieldmargins,and/orwoodedhabitats

Bianchi,F.J.J.A.,C.J.H.Booij,andT.Tscharntke.2011.Sustainablepestregula3oninagriculturallandscapes:areviewonlandscapecomposi3on,biodiversityandnaturalpestcontrol.Proc.R.Soc.B273:1715-1727.Forehand,L.M.,D.B.Orr,andH.M.Linker.2006.Insectcommuni3esassociatedwithbeneficialinsethabitatplantsinNorthCarolina.EnvironmentalEntomology35(6):1541-159.

Pollinatorplan3ngatDirtWorksIncubatorFarm,aprojectofLowcountryLocalFirstatRosebankFarmsnearCharleston,SC

Beardtongue,goldenAlexanders,blackeyedsusan,wildbergamot,NJtea,violet,mountainmint,wingstem,goldenrod,3cktrefoil,Joe-pyeweed,milkweed,blazingstar,passionflower,sunflower,ironweed,gen3an,aster…

WildflowersforPollinators&OtherBeneficialInsects

sunflower,Helianthussp.

Photo:NancyAdamson

•  ~80%declineinmonarchbuLerfliessince~2000incorn/soybeanagregionsand~60%declineinmilkweeds

•  Tremendousdiversityinmilkweeds--greatpoten3altoexpanduse

•  .

Photos:NancyAdamson

NaGveMilkweeds(Asclepiasspp.)

Pleasants,J.M.,Oberhauser,K.S.2012.Milkweedlossinagriculturalfieldsbecauseofherbicideuse:effectonthemonarchbuLerflypopula3on.InsectConserva9onandDiversity.doi:10.1111/j.1752-4598.2012.00196.x.

greenmilkweed,A.viridiflora ↓

purplemilkweed,A.purpurascens↓

pokemilkweed,A.exaltata↓

swampmilkweed,A.incarnata

fourleafmilkweed,A.quadrifolia

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NaGveFloweringShrubs,TreesandDiverseHedgerows

Maple,willow,holly,redbud,blueberry,sourwood,indigobush,sumac,caneberry,wildroses,elderberry,spiraea,shrubbySt.Johnswort…

bumblebeeonredbud,CerciscanadensisPhoto:NancyAdamson

Covercrops• Red,white,crimsonclover• Buckwheat• Austrianwinterpea• Alfalfa• Hairyvetch• Phacelia

Herbs• Basil• Borage• Catmint• Oregano• Sage

Annuals• Annualsunflower• Zinnia• Cosmos• Scarletsage

Photos:NancyAdamson

Covercrops,herbs,&annualsalsosupportpollinators&otherwildlife

clover

borage buckwheat

zinnia

sunflower

clover

Photo:DennisBurneLe,CarolinaBuLerflySociety

gemmedsatyrEnodiaanthedon

Gemmedsatrylarvae(caterpillars)eatriveroats,Chasmanthiumspp.

Grassesarehostplants,provideshelterandfuelforprescribedfire

Grassesarevitalinfireadaptedcommuni3esasfinefuel.Theysheltergroundnes3ngbirds,bumblebees,andotherwildlife.TheyarehostplantsforlarvaeofgrassskippersandsometruebuLerflies.

BringingrestoraGonseedintothetrade

Withgrowinginterestinecologicalrestora3on,par3cularlyusinglocalecotypes,moreregionallylocalseedisbecomingavailableeveryday.

ThePlantConserva3onAlliance,consor3umofpublicandprivateorganiza3onsandindividualsworkingtoconservena3veplantshLp://www.nps.gov/plants.

Photo:NancyAdamson

gulffri3llarybuLerfliesnectaringonchaÖead,Carphephorusbellidi,inSCastheymigratesouthinfall

PesGcidescausesignificantdamagetopollinatorinsectpopulaGons

• Useac3veingredientswithleastimpactonbees

• Considerformula3on

• Labelguidelinesonlyapplytohoneybees

• Don’tsprayonplantsinbloom

• Sprayatnightandwhendry

ManagingInsecGcides

*

hLp://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/abstract.php?seriesno=PNW+591

BiologicalControl≠AnnihilaGon

SlowpestpopulaGongrowthratesIfbothpredator&preyarewipedout,ittakespredatorsmuchlongertorecover

Photo:DebbieRoos

wheelbug(assassinbug)nymphea3ngaColoradopotatobeetle

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CauGonifusingorganic-approvedpesGcides

Evenorganic-approvedpesGcidesaren’talwayssafeforbees&otherbeneficials.• Rotenone=DangerousforBees!• Pyrethrins=DangerousforBees!• Spinosad=DangerousforBees!• Beauveriabassiana=Dangerous!

Okaywhennotdirectlyappliedtobees(i.e.non-bloomingcropsoratnight):• Insec3cidalsoap• Hor3culturaloil• Neem

Photo: NRCS/Toby Alexander

NeonicoGnoidToxicitytoBees• Largedosestoxictobees• Smalldosesreduceforagingability,flightac3vity,&learning

• Alsodetrimentaltobumblebees,solitarybees,andotherbeneficialinsects

• Breakdownchemicalscanbeevenmoredangerousthanoriginalproduct

ProtecGonfromPesGcides:NeonicoGnoids

honeybeeonspiderwort(Tradescan9asp.)

Photo:NancyAdamson

ReducingHarmfromNeonicoGnoids• Avoidapplyingbeforeorduringbloom• Avoidrepeatannualuse,esp.inperennialcrops(carryover)• NOTE:Recommendedratesonhouseholdvs.agproductsasmuch100Xrates,solethal• Stop“cosme3c”(vs.ag)use(hLp://www.beecityusa.org/)

ProtecGonfromPesGcides:NeonicoGnoids

Photo:NancyAdamson

bumblebeeonblueberry

Cropsnotneedingpollinatorsmaybehabitat

Corn,pecans…

Photo:NancyAdamson

bumblebeeloadinguponcornpollen—manybees,includinghoneybeeswillgatherthepollen

Weedcontrol:Protectground-nesGnginsects

•  Reduce3llage•  Plas3cmulch:prosandcons

Photo:USDA-ARS

Shelterforcavity-nesGngbees

Bambooandotherplantscanbecut--backendsolidandfrontopen--toprovidenestsforcavity-nes3ngsolitarybees(&solitarywasps)

masonbees,Osmiacornifrons(introducedfromJapan)

Introducedspeciesu3lizethesenestsmorethanna3vespecies

pupaeinbamboo(splitopen)

Providingnaturalnes3ngopportuni3es—snags,hedgerowswithpithy-stemmedplants,woodpiles,woods—isbesttosupportna3vespecies.

Photos:NancyAdamson

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Cavity-nestersthroughthegrowingseasonifincludevaryingsizes

Photos:NancyAdamson

Summernes3ngleafcuLerbee(Osmiasp.)usingthesmallertubes(<3/16”).Providetubes~1/8”to3/8”

Osmiasp.,masonbee/leafcuLerbee

Othercavity-nestersincludesolitarywasps(&parasitoids)

LeafcuTerbeesandpredatorywaspsusethecaviGeslaterintheseason.Parasitoidsmayseekpreyinthenests.

predatorywasp

parasitoidwasp

Photo:NancyAdamson

FarmBillImplementaGon:PracGcesforPollinators

CoreProgramsforPollinatorsEQIP,CRP,CSPAgencies:NaturalResourcesConserva3onService(NRCS)FarmServiceAgency(FSA)TechNote78UsingFarmBillProgramsforPollinatorConserva9onPracGcesforPollinators•  Tree/ShrubEstablishment•  Conserva3onCover•  HedgerowPlan3ng•  FieldBorder•  Restora3onandManagementofRareorDecliningHabitats

•  UplandWildlifeHabitatManagement•  IntegratedPestManagement•  EarlySuccessionalHabitatDevelopment/Management

• manyothers hLp://plants.usda.gov/pollinators/NRCSdocuments.html

EnvironmentalQualityIncen3vesProgram(EQIP)providesfinancialassistance(cost-share)tofarmerstoimprovehabitat--pollinatorsarea“PriorityNaturalResourceConcern”

2014FarmBillImplementaGon:5%ofEQIPtargetedforwildlife

Photo:NancyAdamson

bumblebeeandshaggyblazingstar

hLp://plants.usda.gov/pollinators/nrcsdocuments.html

Photo:SudieDavesThomas,SCNRCS

DonahuepineflatwoodinSouthCarolina

Whatisthehistoryofthesite?Wasitpreviouslycul3vated?Ifnot,theexisGngseedbankmaybethemostappropriateseedsource.

Isseedingappropriate?*

*Forhelpdeterminingifplan3ngisappropriate,seeNormanMelvin’s“decisionsequencekeys”inWetlandsRestora<on,Enhancement,andManagementhLp://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs143_010838.pdf

Photo:NancyAdamson

CarolinaBayinNCrestoredwiththinning&burning

Bringinginsunlightbythinning&burningmaybethebestrestora3onstrategy.

“Daylight”theseedbank

AssociatedNRCSprac3ces:•  409PrescribedForestry•  338PrescribedBurning•  528PrescribedGrazing•  643Restora3onandManagementof

RareandDecliningHabitats•  647EarlySuccessionalHabitat

DevelopmentorManagement•  659WetlandEnhancement•  657WetlandRestora3on•  644WetlandWildlifeHabitatMgmt•  381SilvopastureEstablishment

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Tree&Shrub(612)orHedgerow(422)Establishment

Plantfloweringshrubsthatbloominsuccession.Designformul3plebenefits,suchaswildlife,IPM,visualscreen,aesthe3cs,anderosioncontrol.

Photo:KatharinaUllmann(XercesSociety)

NRCSConservaGonPracGcesforPollinators

Photo:EricMader

NRCSConservaGonPracGcesforPollinators

FieldBorderPracGceStandard(386):Canincludeadiversemixofna3veandlowcostnon-na3veplants

NRCSConservaGonPracGcesforPollinators

Cover Crop (340) Crops for seasonal cover and other conservation purposes

Photo:BenKnox,NCDepartmentofAgriculture

CrimsoncloverinRowanCounty,NC

PURPOSE• Reduceerosion•  IncreasesoilorganicmaLer• Captureandrecyclenutrients• Promotenitrogenfixa3on• Suppressweeds• Managesoilmoisture• Minimizesoilcompac3on

CONSIDERATIONSFORPOLLINATORS• “Cocktails”mayhavemorebenefitsthansinglespecies•  Ifpossible,allowfloweringbeforetermina3ng• Provideotherpollenandnectarsourcesa�ertermina3ng

NRCSConservaGonPracGcesforPollinators

Photo:NancyAdamson

Example:No-CulGvaGonSquash•  No-cul3va3onsquashfarmsinVirginiahostedthree3mesmoreground-nes3ngsquashbeesthandidconven3onalfarms

NoTill/StripTill/DirectSeed(329)Squashbeeexample

Shuler,etal.2005.FarmingPrac3cesInfluenceWildPollinatorPopula3onsonSquashandPumpkin.JournalofEconomicEntomology.98(3):790-795

Conserva3onReserveProgram(CRP)Prac3cesthatSupportPollinatorHabitatCP-2Na3veGrassesandWildflowersCP-3AHardwoodTreePlan3ngCP-4BPermanentWildlifeHabitatCP-5AFieldWindbreakCP-16ShelterbeltCP-22RiparianBufferCP-23WetlandRestora3onCP-25RareandDecliningHabitatsCP-30MarginalPastureWetlandBufferCP-31BoLomlandTimberCP-33HabitatBufferforUplandBirdsCP-42PollinatorHabitat

FSA*ConservaGonPracGcesforPollinators

*TheNRCSprovidestechnicalsupportfortheFarmServiceAgencyConserva3onReserveProgram(CRP)

Photo:BrianMurphy,VirginiaTech

MurphyFarmWildlifeHabitatPlanGng,New

Castle,VA

Photo:NancyAdamson

FarmBillImplementaGon:WatershedProtecGon

•  Protectwatersheds•  Providewildlifehabitat--especiallyspeciesneedingopen,early-successionalhabitat

Plan3ngsaroundsinkholes,withtechnicalsupportprovidedbyRobinMayberry,NRCSAreaBiologistinCookville,TN

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NaturalregeneraGon&watershedprotecGon

LeavingvegetaGonaroundcreekshelpscleanandshadewaterways;midtolatesummerflowersareabundantinriparianareaswhenotherareasaredry

NCMountainResearchSta3on,Waynesville.Visitall18NCResearchSta3onstoseeconserva3ontechniquesandplan3ngstosupportpollinators.

hLp://www.ncagr.gov/research

Photo:NancyAdamson

MulGplebenefitsofpollinatorhabitat—eventurfbenefits!

Thisstreamcorridorsupportsscoliidwaspadults,wholaytheireggsingrubsofJapanesebeetles(thateatgrassroots)intheground

Riparianareale�unmowntoprotectwaterwayandsupportbeneficialinsectsatSuperSodFarm,MillsRiver,NC

Photo:NancyAdamson

MulGplebenefitsofpollinatorhabitat

scoliidwaspsonmarestailSuperSodFarm,MillsRiver,NC

ScoliidwaspsreduceJapanesebeetlepopula3ons;adultslaytheireggsingrubsandthewasplarvaeeatthegrubsfromtheinsideout

Photo:NancyAdamson

SavvyBusinessManagement&WatershedProtecGon

$200/monthmowingtransformedintoprotecteddiverseripariancorridor;Formerbarrennowu9lizedregularlybystaffandvisitors

CarolinaMountainLandConservancyhLp://www.carolinamountain.org

Photo:NancyAdamson

Photo:MaLhewShepherd,XercesSociety

BiologicalFarming:TheNaGonalOrganicProgramincludesincreasingdiversity

Greaterplantdiversity• Increasedforage• Lessherbicideuse• Greaterinsectdiversity

LowerpesGcideuse• Morebeneficialinsects• BeLercroppollina3on• Fewerpestoutbreaksondiversifiedfarms

NesGng&refugefromharvest&pesGcides•  Patchworkhabitat•  Patchworkdisturbance

VABiologicalFarmingAssocia3onhLp://vabf.org

Long-termhabitatmanagement:LimitdisturbancefrequencyandduraGon

Mowing,grazing,burning,diskingarebestatinfrequentintervals• Disturbnomorethan1/3ofhabitatareaeachyear• Timemanagementforwhenmosteffec3veagainsttarget,orduringdormantseason• Earlysuccessionalhabitatisideal;toomuchdisturbancefavorsgrassesoverforbs

Photos:USDA-ARS,NancyAdamson

NCTREXteamburningalongleafpinesavanna,February2015

Managed intensive rotational grazing helps restore plant roots & soil health

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O�enthereareopportuni3estobeLermanageexis3nghabitat

Photos:HeritageSeedlings,Inc.;NYSDOT;AnneS3ne;YamhillCountyCouncil

OtherhabitatconservaGon&managementopportuniGes

bumblebeeonAmericangermander,Teucriumcanadense

Ensure• Diverseforage&nes3ngsites• Managementforinsectdiversity

Remember:Wildflower-richhabitatssupportbeneficialinsects&otherwildlife

Photo:NancyAdamson

Photo:NancyAdamson

AddiGonalResourcesgreensweatbee,onbuLerflymilkweed

State and regional Technical Notes Farming for Pollinators & Pest Management brochures Agroforestry Notes PLANTS Database NRCS Plant Material Centers

USDA-NRCS Resources—Talk with your District Conservationist!

Findoutmoreat:www.va.nrcs.usda.gov

InVirginia,PartnerBiologistsSupportFarmBillImplementaGon

VANRCS,VADGIF,&VirginiaTechPartnerBiologistsRobertGlennon&AndrewRosenbergerteachingaboutmeadowestablishmentonasouthwestVirginiafarm

Photos:NancyLeeAdamson

Further InformaGon: Native Plant Database

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Recommended Species: http://wildflower.org/collections/ Special Collections •  Butterflies and Moths

Value to Beneficial Insects •  Special Value to Native Bees •  Special Value to Bumble Bees •  Special Value to Honey Bees •  Provide Nesting Materials/Structure

for Native Bees

Click on a “Special Value” category, then narrow to state, habit, light & soil conditions, etc.

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FurtherInformaGon:theXercesSocietywww.xerces.org

Photo:MaLhewShepherd

OverwinteringMonarchs

BumbleBees

TheXercesSociety:CiGzenScience

MigratoryDragonfliesAqua3cInvertebrates

ThankYou,Virginians&Friends!

Photo:NancyAdamson

www.xerces.org3gerswallowtails(Virginia’sstateinsect)

onpinxterbloomazalea

ThankYouAll!

andrenidbeeonapple

…andmanyexcellentscien3sts,conserva3onists,andfarmers

Financialsupportfrom§  XercesSocietyMembers§  NRCSEastNa3onalTechCenter§  TurnerFounda3on§  DisneyWorldwideConserva3onFund§  C.S.Fund§ WholeFoodsMarket&theirvendors§  OrganicValleyFAFO§  OrganicFarmingResearchFounda3on§  Nat’lIns3tuteofFood&Agric.,USDA§  Cinco§  ClifBarFamilyFounda3on§  AliceC.TylerPerpetualTrust§  SarahK.deCoizartAr3cleTENTHPerpetualCharitableTrust

§  TheEdwardGoreyCharitableTrust§  EarthShare(CFC#18360)§  EndangeredSpeciesChocolate§  TheMetabolicStudio§  TheCeresFounda3on§  &manyothers…

Photo:NancyAdamson

Photo:NancyAdamson

QuesGons?

ContactmeNancyLeeAdamson,PhD

TheXercesSociety&NRCSEast

Na3onalTechnologySupportCenterinGreensboro,NC

nancy@xerces.orgnancy.adamson@gnb.usda.gov

336-370-3443bumblebeeonperennialsunflower