Varkonyi Elizabeth M, Johnson Casey L, Vieira Julia J, Ginsberg Howard S, Sipolski Steven J, Casabona Gary, Oliver Jason B, Alm Steven R
Department of Plant Sciences and Entomology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA.
U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Rhode Island Field Station, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA.
Environ Entomol. 2025 Aug 19;54(4):938-951. doi: 10.1093/ee/nvaf006.
Historical records (1900 to 1999) indicate that 12 bumble bee species occurred in Rhode Island, however, baseline data of current bee fauna are limited. To assess the status of bumble bee species in Rhode Island, a statewide survey was conducted by visual observations of bees visiting flowers and using vane traps. Floral observations in 2020 and 2021 were conducted to document flowering plant visitations and bumble bee species richness and abundance. Bees were collected using vane traps at farms, golf courses, and residential areas throughout the state from 2019 to 2021. Non-Bombus bees collected in vane traps were also identified. Pollen from historical and modern bumble bee specimens were analyzed to establish a floral association species record. Among 12 historical Bombus species documented from Rhode Island, B. affinis Cresson, B. citrinus Smith, B. pensylvanicus DeGeer, B. ternarius Say, or B. terricola Kirby were not found, suggesting rarity or current absence. Bombus impatiens Cresson was the most abundant survey species, while B. auricomus Robertson, a new state record, was least abundant. Bombus species richness was highest on Monarda fistulosa L., Trifolium pratense L., and Lavandula angustifolia Mill, and M. fistulosa had the highest bee visitations. Blue vane traps purchased in different years from the same company differed significantly in bee captures (both Bombus and non-Bombus), indicating that caution is needed when assessing bee populations with seemingly standardized trapping methods. This study provides baseline data regarding the current status of Rhode Island bumble bees that will be critical to implementing conservation practices for declining species.
历史记录(1900年至1999年)表明罗德岛曾出现过12种熊蜂,但目前蜜蜂群落的基线数据有限。为评估罗德岛熊蜂物种的现状,通过对访花蜜蜂的目视观察以及使用风向标诱捕器进行了全州范围的调查。在2020年和2021年进行了花卉观察,以记录开花植物的访花情况以及熊蜂物种的丰富度和数量。从2019年至2021年,在全州的农场、高尔夫球场和居民区使用风向标诱捕器收集蜜蜂。还对在风向标诱捕器中捕获的非熊蜂属蜜蜂进行了鉴定。对历史和现代熊蜂标本的花粉进行了分析,以建立花卉关联物种记录。在罗德岛记录的12种历史熊蜂物种中,未发现亲和熊蜂、柠檬熊蜂、宾夕法尼亚熊蜂、三叶草熊蜂或地熊蜂,这表明它们可能稀少或目前已不存在。克氏熊蜂是调查中数量最多的物种,而新的州记录物种罗氏熊蜂数量最少。熊蜂物种丰富度在藿香、红车轴草和薰衣草上最高,且藿香的蜜蜂访花次数最多。从同一家公司在不同年份购买的蓝色风向标诱捕器在捕获蜜蜂(熊蜂和非熊蜂)方面存在显著差异,这表明在使用看似标准化的诱捕方法评估蜜蜂种群时需要谨慎。本研究提供了有关罗德岛熊蜂当前状况的基线数据,这对于实施针对数量下降物种的保护措施至关重要。