Tools
Tools
Gilpin, Amy‐Marie, Brettell, Laura, Cook, James M. and Power, Sally A. (2022) 'The use of trap‐nests to support crop pollinators in agricultural areas'. Ecological Research, Vol 37, Issue 6, pp. 768-779.
|
Text
Gilpin_et_al_2022.pdf - Accepted Version Download (2MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Supporting and promoting invertebrate diversity within agricultural ecosystems has numerous benefits, including the provision of pollination services. Many insects, including wild pollinators, require floral resources for food and structural habitat for nesting. To support pollinators, research studies and agri-environment schemes have sought to supplement floral resources, but little is known about the value of different types of nesting habitat enhancements (e.g., trap-nests or bee hotels). We deployed eight replicates of each of three types (bamboo reed, hardwood block and sand/cement brick) of trap-nests at five orchards in two apple and cherry growing regions (Bilpin and Orange) in Australia. Both reed and hardwood block trap-nests attracted a diverse array of invertebrates, such as ants, wasps, spiders and bees, including a cleptoparasitic bee species (Thyreus sp.) not previously recorded in the region. Interestingly, two taxa of native bees (Megachile [Megachile] and Megachile [Eutricharaea]) used the artificial nests and were also observed visiting apple crops. There were significantly more native bees using trap-nests in Orange (n = 65), where orchards are surrounded by agricultural landscapes, than in Bilpin (n = 2), where orchards are surrounded by native forests. Our findings show that artificial nest enhancements are used by native bees, as well as other nontarget invertebrate taxa, some of which can be predators of bees (ants, wasps, and spiders). Nesting habitat augmentation thus has potential to be used as a conservation tool, especially in areas where nesting sites are limited. However, future studies should also consider measures to reduce colonization by non-target taxa.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | QX Parasitology > Insects. Other Parasites > QX 565 Hymenoptera (Bees. Wasps. Ants) QX Parasitology > Insects. Other Parasites > QX 600 Insect control. Tick control |
| Faculty: Department: | Biological Sciences > Vector Biology Department |
| Digital Object Identifer (DOI): | https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1703.12348 |
| SWORD Depositor: | JISC Pubrouter |
| Depositing User: | JISC Pubrouter |
| Date Deposited: | 03 Jan 2023 09:51 |
| Last Modified: | 30 Aug 2023 13:31 |
| URI: | https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/20923 |
Statistics
Actions (login required)
 |
Edit Item |