Diversity patterns of native bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) in native prairies and cropland landscapes at the Southern High Plains (Texas, USA)

Insect pollinators, particularly bees, provide key ecosystem services that help maintain wild plant communities and agricultural productivity. Habitat destruction and fragmentation can decrease native bee populations and result in reduced pollination services. The objectives of this study were to determine the local abundance and diversity of native bees in three different landscape types, and to compare the diversity patterns among the three landscapes in terms of functional guilds. Pollinators where sampled using pan traps and sweep nets during 2014 and 2015. The three landscapes sampled were two native prairies, the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge in Bailey Co. TX and the Monahans Sandhills State Park in Ward and Wrinkler Co. TX, and cropland, cotton plantations across Lubbock Co. TX. Bees where classified into functional guilds, based on differences in phenology, body size, eusocial behavior, and foraging patterns. Preliminary information on native bee abundance and richness, and the effects of landscape type and context on pollinator guilds are presented.