matteson bee biology

Biology of Bees (and Butterflies) in New York City

Kevin C. MattesonDepartment of Biological SciencesFordham University

Butterfly diversity

•~20,000 species worldwide, most in tropics

•~700 species in North America

•121 species known to inhabit or migrate through New York City

•24 species in community gardens

Bee diversity

•~20,000 species worldwide, most in arid regions

•~4,000 species in North America

•~227 species in New York City

•54 species found in community gardens

Pollination

Keep in mind: Not all bees or butterflies pollinate

Wasps aren’t bees!

Tourists

Outcasts

Hustlers

Immigrants

City Slickers

Introduction to Urban Pollinators

Introduction to Urban Pollinators

The City Slicker: Cabbage white butterfly (Pieris rapae)

Keywords:

•Multi-voltine

•Nomadic

Introduction to Urban Pollinators

The Tourist:Monarch butterfly

Keywords

•Migratory

•Range, eastern seaboard

•Timing of flights

Photo credit: Toryporter

Introduction to Urban Pollinators

The Hustler: Bombus impatiens

Keywords:

•Polylectic vs. oligolectic

•Eusocial vs. solitary

•Central place foragers

Bee

abu

ndan

ce/m

2

0

1

2

3

4

5

Native flowers Ornamental flowers Crop flowers

ab

b

a

b

c a

Apis melliferaBumble bees Megachilidae All bees

Bumble bee abundance highest on exotic plants

The Bumble Bee Lifecycle

Bumble bee flight range - ~1000 m from nest

The Immigrant:Hylaeus leptocephalus

Keywords

•Cavity-nesting vs. soil-nesting species

•Flight range

•NYC has 10 of the 21 exotic bees known to North America

Introduction to Urban Pollinators

Hylaeus flight range - ~150 m from nest

Introduction to Urban Pollinators

The Outcast:Flies!

Keywords:

•Two wings not four, larger eyes, faster flight, no ‘waist’

•Eristalis and other syrphid flies are important pollinators

Photo credit: Wally Gobetz

Photo credit: Zach K

Needs of Urban Pollinators

Room and Board!

Nest Site Pollen/Nectar

? ?

Needs of Urban Pollinators

Room and Board for larva and adult!

Nest Site Nectar/Pollen

Larva ? ?

Adult ? ?

•Keep in mind recommendations may need to be species specific!

•Not rocket science but does take some research and planning

Tremont Community Garden, Bronx

20 bee species, 12 butterfly species

Thank You!