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Research Project:
BEE DIVERSITY AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF HEALTHY, SUSTAINABLE BEE POLLINATION SYSTEMS
Location: Pollinating Insects-- Biology, Management and Systematics Research
Title: Discovery of the Western Palearctic bee, Megachile (Pseudomegachile) ericetorum, (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), in Ontario Canada
Authors
Submitted to: Journal of Entomological Society of Ontario
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: July 2, 2010
Publication Date: November 20, 2010
Citation: Sheffield, C.S., Griswold, T.L., Richards, M.H. 2010. Discovery of the Western Palearctic bee, Megachile (Pseudomegachile) ericetorum, (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), in Ontario Canada. Journal of Entomological Society of Ontario. 141:85-92.
Interpretive Summary: The rich bee fauna of North America of over 3500 species includes a number of adventive species. Here we report on an apparent recent introduction of Megachile (Pseudomegachile) ericetorum. This bee was detected in a naturalized area in Ontario, Canada in 1993. Megachile ericetorum is known to nest in cavities in stems and wood, the nesting habitat of many native Megachile. Due to the possibility of disruption of indigenous bee populations by this invasive bee, monitoring efforts should be implemented to determine if this bee is established, and if so, whether its range is expanding.
Technical Abstract:
The bees of North America are very diverse, including over 3500 species. Approximately thirty of these bee species are not native to this continent. Recently another non-native bee, Megachile (Pseudomegachile) ericetorum, was found in a naturalized area in Ontario, Canada. This bee nests in holes in stems and wood, as do a number of native Megachile. Because of the possibility that an introduced bee may negatively impact native bee populations it is important to document the presence of this species. Monitoring, to determine if this bee is established and if it is spreading, is encouraged.
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