I recently participated in a training session on how to survey an area for pollinators. The survey is coordinated by great River Greening. Funding for the project is provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by LCCMR. This monitoring has been going on for several years and is an important study to monitor the long-term trends of these important insects. The categories that the insects are separated into are NATIVE BEES, HONEYBEES, MONARCH BUTTERFLIES, OTHER POLLINATORS such as MOTHS, WASPS, FLIES. They are separated into groups. The survey is conducted in several locations throughout the county. To do the sampling one has to make a short walk through a native prairie area at a designated location with the starting and ending location predetermined. A map is provided to all volunteers as well as a short training session on what to look for. No vegetation determinations are needed.
The reason that Monarch’s are singled out is because of its noticeable population decline. The Rusty Patched Bumble Bee is also singled out as to its characteristics so it can be noted if it is sighted. The Rusty Patch has been declining so there is concern for its survival as a pollinator. Native Bees are very common as well as Honeybee, which is not native but an asset to our food for us humans.
Some pollinators especially the Honeybees carry pollen on their back legs. One can often see the pollen on the Bee’s hind legs. Some pollinators store pollen in their mouthparts and distribute it to their young upon returning to the nest.
One recent news article was about a truck that had an accident while traveling to a farm that grew Almonds to place the Bees on the site for pollinating the Almond flowers. The fact Bees are being transported in this manner illustrates the importance of insects for pollinating certain parts of our food supply.