Pollinating and beneficial insects within four treatments of switchgrass and pine

Currently, corn is the main source of ethanol in the United States and ethanol demand is expected to increase in the coming years.  However, due to high environmental costs of corn, scientists are looking towards alternative biofuel crops that are more ecologically friendly. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and loblolly pine trees (Pinus taeda) are two potential surrogates for biofuel production.  Switchgrass produces more energy than it requires, emits less greenhouse gases, and can be grown on marginal land, leading to less competition of crop land for food production.  Corn has also been shown to be detrimental to pollinating communities.   The emphasis of my research is determining how pollinating/beneficial insect communities are affected by various switchgrass/pine treatments.  Treatments included: (1) switchgrass intercropped with young pine, (2) monocultures of young pine, (3) traditionally managed pine (older) with switchgrass intercropped, and (4) traditionally managed pine (older) monoculture. Colored bowl traps (blue, yellow, white) were used to collect potential pollinators and beneficial insects.  Overall, different treatments attracted different genera of beneficial insects.  At least 73 beneficial insect species were captured within our treatments. Lasioglossum spp. was the most prevalent genera of bee (43% of bees captured) found throughout the study followed by Ceratina strenua (29%). Ceratina strenua was found in higher abundances in old pine monocultures and old pine intercropped with switchgrass, whereas Halictidae (including Lasioglossum)  was found more frequently in young pine monocultures and young pine treatments intercropped with switchgrass.  Dolichopodidae were found in significantly higher abundances within the young pine monoculture and young pine/switchgrass intercrops.