Native pollinators in Iowa cornfields: Community identification and trapping methods analysis

Describing the native pollinator community found within Iowa corn (Zea mays) fields is an essential step in identifying surrogate species for laboratory and field studies, assessing non-target risks to pollen feeding insects, and for pollinator conservation. Our objectives are to 1) characterize the community visiting cornfields in Iowa and 2) develop a consistent and efficient trapping method for describing community diversity and abundance. In 2012, three fields will be sampled in central Iowa during the reproductive stages of corn (VT-R6) using yellow sticky cards and yellow, blue, and white bee bowls at three different heights. Traps will be deployed at anther height (2.4 m), ear height (1.2 m) and ground height (0.3 m). Results will be analyzed to determine 1) if the community of pollinators differs by trapping method, 2) if community composition and abundance differs across the three different heights of the corn plant, and 3) if the pollinator community differs between the edge and the interior of a cornfield.