Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Sidney, Montana » Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory » Pest Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #413714
Research Project: Biological Control and Habitat Restoration for Invasive Weed Management

Location: Pest Management Research

Title: Pollinator Community Composition and Diversity in Callery Pear Stands in South Carolina

Author
item SHARMA, PRABINA - Clemson University
item COYLE, DAVID - Clemson University
item KUNKEL, DEBORAH - Clemson University
item PALMER, JAMES - Clemson University
item Campbell, Joshua
item TIMILSINA, NILESH - Clemson University
item HARTSHORN, JESSICA - Clemson University

Submitted to: Southeastern Naturalist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2025
Publication Date: 5/29/2025
Citation: Sharma, P., Coyle, D.R., Kunkel, D., Palmer, J.F., Campbell, J.W., Timilsina, N., Hartshorn, J. 2025. Pollinator Community Composition and Diversity in Callery Pear Stands in South Carolina. Southeastern Naturalist. 24(2):151-167. https://doi.org/10.1656/058.024.0207.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1656/058.024.0207

Interpretive Summary: Callery pear is a non-native tree that has become widespread in the Southeastern United States and is considered invasive. A large quantity of flowers are produced in the early spring that attract numerous insects. However, little research has documented which potential insects visit the flowers and possibly contribute to successful pollination. We collected potential insect pollinators from Callery pear flowers from Upstate South Carolina. We collected 18 insect families with the most common insects being honey bees, native bees, and hover flies. Our results show that a varied and generalist insect community is potentially contributing to Callery pear pollination.

Technical Abstract: Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana Decne.) is a non-native tree listed as invasive in 17 U.S. states. Despite Callery pear’s early and prolific flowering, widespread distribution, and the crucial role of pollinators in the reproduction and spread of invasive flora, little research exists examining the pollinator community that uses Callery pear. Using sweep nets and white, blue, and yellow bowl traps, we collected pollinators from mature, wild Callery pear trees in Upstate South Carolina and identified pollinators to compare species diversity and community composition. We collected 876 insects representing 18 families from four orders (Diptera, Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, and Lepidoptera). Predominant pollinator families included Syrphidae, Sarcophagidae, Anthomyiidae, and Andrenidae, suggesting a prevalence of generalist pollinators. The most common genera identified were Toxomerus, Andrena, Apis, Osmia, and Lasioglossum. Our results highlight the relationship between invasive trees and generalist pollinators and suggest future research to investigate the implications for invasive plant management strategies.