Location: Pollinating Insect-Biology, Management, Systematics Research
Project Number: 2080-30500-001-050-I
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement
Start Date: Dec 1, 2025
End Date: Sep 30, 2027
Objective:
Over the past 10 years there has been a consistent rise in the detection of non-native mason bee species in the United States, this has included Osmia cornifrons, Osmia taurus, and most recently Osmia cornuta. This project will assess the spread of non-native mason bees in seven cities and surrounding natural areas across the western United States and determine the potential impact of competition with non-native species. This research will be accomplished by 1) Assessing the landscape at which these bees inhabit and 2) documenting the pest and parasites that are in these non-native bee nest and their potential spread to native species. Assessing the spread of non-native species will help ensure a sustainable population of Osmia and specialty crops, such as almonds, apples, and cherries that are pollinated by Osmia.
Approach:
Seven cities will be sampled to determine the spread and impact of non-native species across the western United States. Five of the seven cities (Seattle, WA, Portland, OR, Boise, ID, Salt Lake City, UT, and Bozeman, MT) have documented records of non-native mason bee species occurring in the surrounding area, while the two other cities (Sacramento, CA & Flagstaff, AZ) have no confirmed records but have had a singular iNaturalist record and are at potential risk for establishment of non-native species. Of the five cities that have documented records, each invasion point has occurred at differing times and rates, which will provide us with the spread needed to look at growth over time since a known introduction. For the two cities that do not have confirmed detections we will be able to systematically assess if these species are present and just going undetected or if the singular observation points were from managed populations, but they are unable to establish in these areas.