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U.S. National Pollinating Insects
Collection
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By Terry
Griswold |
| Location |
U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Bee Biology and Systematics Laboratory, Utah State University,
Logan, UT 84322-5310 |
| Loans |
To recognized institutions and
scientists |
Associated
libraries |
15,000 reprints |
Number of
accessions |
6,850 species of bees (worldwide) and
2,850 species of wasps and other insect nest associates in 1,600 museum drawers
(800,000 specimens) |
| Types |
Many, mostly
paratypes |
| Curator |
Terry Griswold
Phone: (801) 797-2526, fax: (801) 797-0461
e-mail
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| Home
page |
None |
| Background |
The U.S. National Pollinating Insects Collection provides the
basis for systematic and biological studies on pollinating insects from many
parts of the world. The collection was started in 1947 by G.E. Bohart. It has
expanded rapidly through acquisitions of biological material and exchanges with
other institutions. Bohart contributed many specimens, as have P.F. Torchio,
F.D. Parker, V.J. Tepedino, and T. Griswold. Bohart, Parker, and Torchio are
now Federal collaborators and have been active in working with the collection
and providing new accessions. |
Identification
Service |
Each year many requests for identifications of pollinating
insects are received directly from research scientists, bee systematists,
graduate students, state and county farm advisors and extension agents, bee
breeders, seed growers, and others. Identifications of bees are also provided
for the Systematic Entomology Laboratory under a cooperative agreement. An
average of 44 lots (4,500 specimens) are processed annually. Additional
requests are made by taxpayers for bee information, including the analysis and
causes of bee stock losses due to parasites or predators. |
| Databases |
An inventory of the collection provides a list of holdings,
numbers of specimens per species, and geographic distribution. A specimen-based
databank of the bees in the collection has been undertaken and is more than
half done, with completion anticipated in 1997 or 1998. Data capture of all
future incoming material will be accomplished using individual specimen bar
codes, facilitating the electronic exchange of information. A computerized
checklist of North American bees (including bees from Central America) has been
completed and will be regularly updated. Computerized catalogs of Megachilidae
and Colletidae are in development. These databases are not currently available
on the World Wide Web. Inquiries should be addressed to the Bee Biology and
Systematics Laboratory. |
| Research |
The U.S. National Pollinating Insects Collection is essential
in promoting the ARS missions of improving crop pollination, conserving genetic
resources, and preserving biodiversity. The Bee Biology and Systematics
Laboratory is responsible for studies of pollinating insects, primarily bees,
including their adult and immature systematics, biology, associated predators
and parasites, role in plant pollination, and use as crop pollinators. As a
rich resource of nearly 4,000 species of native bees in the United States
alone, this collection aids in accurate identifications of potential
pollinators. Such identifications are essential for ongoing basic and applied
pollination research. Systematic research focuses on bee taxa with high
potential for management (Megachilidae) and their parasites (Stelis,
Coelioxys). The importance of pollinators in the maintenance of native
ecosystems and particularly of rare plant species is a secondary focus of
research. |
Selected
Achievements |
1953 |
Domesticated first native bee, Nomia
melanderi, resulting in over a twentyfold increase in alfalfa seed
production |
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1960 |
Assisted in developing multimillion-dollar leafcutter bee
industry |
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1973 |
Developed method to control leafcutter bee
parasite, saving the alfalfa seed industry millions of dollars |
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1975 |
Developed blue orchard bee, Osmia lignaria, which
augments honey bee pollination of orchard crops |
| 1990 |
Developed Osmia ribifloris as
pollinator of highbush blueberry |
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1993 |
Analyzed the pollination and reproductive biology of 26
species of threatened and endangered plant species in the western United States
(fig. 15) |
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Figure 15. Perdita meconis,
a new species pollinating
Arctomecon californica,
one of many rare plants
dependent on native bees
for reproduction |
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