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Bee monitoring, or widespread efforts to document bee community biodiversity, can involve data collection using lethal (specimen collections) or non-lethal methods (observations, photographs). Additionally, data can be collected by professional scientists or by volunteer participants from the general public. Collection-based methods presumably produce more reliable data with fewer biases against certain taxa, while photography-based approaches, such as data collected from public natural history platforms like iNaturalist, can involve more people and cover a broader geographic area. Few efforts have been made to quantify the pros and cons of these different approaches. We established a community science monitoring program to assess bee biodiversity across the state of Pennsylvania (USA) using specimen collections with nets, blue vane traps, and bowl traps. We recruited 26 participants, mostly Master Gardeners, from across the state to sample bees after receiving extensive training on bee monitoring topics and methods. The specimens they collected were identified to species, stored in museum collections, and the data added to public databases. Then, we compared the results from our collections to research-grade observations from iNaturalist during the same time period (2021 and 2022). At state and county levels, we found collections data documented over twice as much biodiversity and novel baseline natural history data (state and county records) than data from iNaturalist. iNaturalist data showed strong biases toward large-bodied and non-native species. This study demonstrates the value of highly trained community scientists for collections-based research that aims to document patterns of bee biodiversity over space and time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been an increase in the adventive establishment and spread of parasitoid wasps outside of their native range. However, lack of taxonomic tools can hinder the efficient screening of field-collected samples to document the establishment and range expansion of parasitoids on continent-wide geographic scales. Here we report that Leptopilina japonica (Hymenoptera, Figitidae), a parasitoid of the globally invasive fruit pest Drosophila suzukii (Diptera, Drosophilidae), is now widespread in much of North America despite not having been intentionally introduced. Surveys in 2022 using a variety of methods detected L. japonica in 10 of 11 surveyed USA States and one Canadian Province where it was not previously known to occur. In most surveys, L. japonica was the most common species of D. suzukii parasitoid found. The surveys also resulted in the detection of Ganaspis cf. brasiliensis (Hymenoptera, Figitidae), the recently-released biological control agent of D. suzukii, in six USA States where it had not previously been found. These new detections are likely a result of intentional biological control introductions rather than spread of adventive populations. A species-specific multiplex PCR assay was developed as a rapid, accurate and cost-effective method to distinguish L. japonica, G. cf. brasiliensis, the closely-related cosmopolitan parasitoid Leptopilina heterotoma (Hymenoptera, Figitidae) and other native parasitoid species. This dataset and the associated molecular tools will facilitate future studies of the spread and ecological impacts of these introduced parasitoids on multiple continents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Characterizing the nutritional needs of wild bee species is an essential step to better understanding bee biology and providing suitable supplemental forage for at‐risk species. Here, we aim to characterize the nutritional needs of a model solitary bee species, Osmia cornifrons (Radoszkowski), by using dietary protein‐to‐lipid ratio (P:L ratio) as a proxy for nutritional niche and niche breadth. We first identified the mean target P:L ratio (~3.02:1) and P:L collection range (0.75–6.26:1) from pollen provisions collected across a variety of sites and time points. We then investigated the P:L tolerance range of larvae by rearing bees in vitro on a variety of diets. Multifloral and single‐source pollen diets with P:L ratios within the range of surveyed provisions did not always support larval development, indicating that other dietary components such as plant secondary compounds and micronutrients must also be considered in bee nutritional experiments. Finally, we used pollen metabarcoding to identify pollen from whole larval provisions to understand how much pollen bees used from plants outside of their host plant families to meet their nutritional needs, as well as pollen from individual forager bouts, to observe if bees maintained strict floral constancy or visited multiple plant genera per foraging bout. Whole larval provision surveys revealed a surprising range of host plant pollen use, ranging from ~5% to 70% of host plant pollen per provision. Samples from individual foraging trips contained pollen from multiple genera, suggesting that bees are using some form of foraging decision making. Overall, these results suggest that O. cornifrons have a wide nutritional niche breadth, but while pollen P:L ratio tolerance is broad, a tolerable P:L ratio alone is not enough to create a quality diet for O. cornifrons, and the plant species that make up these diets must also be carefully considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Management to control the spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula (White), would ideally achieve managers' goals while limiting impacts on nontarget organisms. In a large-scale field study with 45 plots at least 711 m2, we tested foliar applications of dinotefuran and 2 formulations of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin, each applied from the ground and separately by helicopter. Applications targeted early instar nymphs. For both application methods, a single treatment with dinotefuran significantly reduced L. delicatula numbers, as measured by catch on sticky bands (91% reduction by air and 84% reduction by ground 19 days after application) and by timed counts (89% reduction by air and 72% reduction by ground 17 days after application). None of the B. bassiana treatments significantly reduced L. delicatula numbers, even after 3 applications. Beauveria bassiana infection in field-collected nymphs ranged from 0.4% to 39.7%, with higher mortality and infection among nymphs collected from ground application plots. Beauveria bassiana conidia did not persist for long on foliage which probably contributed to low population reduction. Nontarget effects were not observed among arthropods captured in blue vane flight intercept traps, San Jose Scale pheromone sticky traps or pitfall traps, but power analysis revealed that small reductions of less than 40% may not be detected despite extensive sampling of 48,804 specimens. These results demonstrate that dinotefuran can markedly reduce local abundance of L. delicatula with little apparent effect on nontarget insects when applied shortly after hatch, and that aerial applications can match or exceed the effectiveness of applications from the ground. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bees are important pollinators and are essential for the reproduction of many plants in natural and agricultural ecosystems. However, bees can have adverse ecological effects when introduced to areas outside of their native geographic ranges. Dozens of non-native bee species are currently found in North America and have raised concerns about their potential role in the decline of native bee populations. Osmia taurus Smith (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) is a mason bee native to eastern Asia that was first reported in the United States in 2002. Since then, this species has rapidly expanded throughout the eastern part of North America. Here, we present a comprehensive review of the natural history of O. taurus , document its recent history of spread through the United States and Canada, and discuss the evidence suggesting its potential for invasiveness. In addition, we compare the biology and history of colonization of O. taurus to O. cornifrons (Radoszkowski), another non-native mason bee species now widespread in North America. We highlight gaps of knowledge and future research directions to better characterize the role of O. taurus in the decline of native Osmia spp. Panzer and the facilitation of invasive plant-pollinator mutualisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neonicotinoid insecticides are used to manage spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula (White); hereafter SLF), a recently introduced pest in the United States. Neonicotinoids can harm nontargets, such as pollinators potentially exposed via floral resources of treated plants. We quantified neonicotinoid residues in whole flowers of two SLF host plant species, red maple (Acer rubrum L. [Sapindales: Sapindaceae]) and tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) [Sapindales: Simaroubaceae]), treated with post-bloom imidacloprid or dinotefuran applications that differed in timing and method of application. In red maple flowers, dinotefuran residues from fall applications were significantly higher than summer applications, while imidacloprid residues from fall applications were significantly lower than summer applications. Residues did not differ between application methods or sites. In tree-of-heaven flowers, dinotefuran residues were only detected in one of 28 samples at a very low concentration. To assess acute mortality risk to bees from oral exposure to residues in these flowers, we calculated risk quotients (RQ) using mean and 95% prediction interval residue concentrations from treatments in this study and lethal concentrations obtained from acute oral bioassays for Apis mellifera (L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae)) and Osmia cornifrons (Radoszkowski (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)), then compared these RQs to a level of concern. For A. mellifera , only one treatment group, applied at 2X maximum label rate, had an RQ that exceeded this level. However, several RQs for O. cornifrons exceeded the level of concern, suggesting potential acute risk to solitary bees. Further studies are recommended for more comprehensive risk assessments to nontargets from neonicotinoid use for SLF management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is a major invasive pest of caneberries (e.g., blackberries and raspberries) and other thin-skinned fruit crops. In recent years, it has been reported as an economically important fruit pest in many countries. In caneberries, the timely detection and management of invasive insect pests such as D. suzukii is important to maintain profitability and avoid fruit export restriction. Invasions by such new pest species in commercial crop production often changes pesticide use patterns and frequency as growers try to control pest populations on their farms. In this study, we examined the seasonal population of D. suzukii and pesticide use patterns before and after D. suzukii invasion in primocane-fruiting raspberry and floricane-fruiting blackberry crop production in Pennsylvania. The results of seasonal monitoring conducted over two years showed higher populations of D. suzukii fruit flies during the settle period. The evaluation of crop-specific pesticide programs showed an increase in pesticide use frequency compared to the crop season before D. suzukii invasion in the blackberry planting. Similarly, over a five-fold increase in pesticide application was recorded in the raspberry planting in the year following invasion. The implications of increased pesticide use patterns in blackberry and raspberry production are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Panonychus ulmi is a pest of several agriculturally important crops, including apples. If populations are not controlled, it can cause severe foliar damage in apple that results in lower return bloom and yield loss in following year. Biological mite control of this pest can be achieved in eastern United States apple orchards if growers conserve several species of predatory mites through proper selection and timing of insecticide applications for the main pests such as codling moth which directly damage the fruit. When apple growers occasionally loose biological mite control, they need to rely on effective miticides that also conserve these predatory mite species to maintain sustainable pest mite control. Efficiency of different pesticide chemicals used for the P. ulmi management and their non-target effects on predatory mites conserved for biological mite control in apple orchards are discussed. Panonychus ulmi (Koch) (Acari: Tetranychidae), commonly known as European red mite, is a polyphagous pest of various tree and small fruit crops, including apples. A field study was conducted to evaluate different pesticide options available for the management of P. ulmi, and their impact on the population of non-target predatory mite species complex consisting of Neoseiulus fallacis, Typhlodromus pyri, and Zetzellia mali in apple orchards. Pesticides were applied using a commercial airblast sprayer at the 3–5 mite/leaf recommended economic Integrated Pest Management (IPM) threshold or prophylactically in the spring ignoring IPM practices such as monitoring, reliance on biological control and economic thresholds. Effects on the motile and egg stages of P. ulmi were evaluated as were effects on the populations of predatory mites through frequent leaf counts during the season. We also recorded the subsequent overwintering eggs of P. ulmi from each pesticide treatment. The two prophylactic treatments containing a mixture of zeta-cypermethrin + avermectin B1 + 1% horticultural oil and abamectin + 1% horticultural oil provided effective control of P. ulmi population throughout the season without reducing predatory mite populations. In contrast, eight treatments applied at the recommended economic threshold of 3–5 mites/leaf were not effective in suppressing P. ulmi populations and most reduced predatory mites. Etoxazole had significantly higher number of overwintering P. ulmi eggs compared to all other treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are the most economically important agricultural pollinator in North America, as well as being the most frequently studied bee species. Many agricultural systems, such as fruit tree orchards, benefit from having a diversity of bee species present. In this article, we present information about the types of bees that can be found in orchards and explore their mating behaviors, life cycles, genetic differences, flower preferences, and foraging activities. Many orchard-pollinating bees, including bumble bees (Bombus spp.), mason bees (Osmia spp.), and mining bees (Andrena spp.), are often less studied than honey bees. All bees encounter threats to their health and behavior while out foraging. The impacts and mitigation of these threats are often better understood in honey bees. This review summarizes the current knowledge of these threats to orchard bees' health, identifies gaps in the knowledge, and discusses potential management and conservation practices. Different species of bees provide essential ecosystem services by pollinating various agricultural crops, including tree fruits. Many fruits and nuts depend on insect pollination, primarily by wild and managed bees. In different geographical regions where orchard crops are grown, fruit growers rely on wild bees in the farmscape and use orchard bees as alternative pollinators. Orchard crops such as apples, pears, plums, apricots, etc., are mass-flowering crops and attract many different bee species during their bloom period. Many bee species found in orchards emerge from overwintering as the fruit trees start flowering in spring, and the active duration of these bees aligns very closely with the blooming time of fruit trees. In addition, most of the bees in orchards are short-range foragers and tend to stay close to the fruit crops. However, the importance of orchard bee communities is not well understood, and many challenges in maintaining their populations remain. This comprehensive review paper summarizes the different types of bees commonly found in tree fruit orchards in the fruit-growing regions of the United States, their bio-ecology, and genetic diversity. Additionally, recommendations for the management of orchard bees, different strategies for protecting them from multiple stressors, and providing suitable on-farm nesting and floral resource habitats for propagation and conservation are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild bees form diverse communities that pollinate plants in both native and agricultural ecosystems making them both ecologically and economically important. The growing evidence of bee declines has sparked increased interest in monitoring bee community and population dynamics using standardized methods. Here, we studied the dynamics of bee biodiversity within and across years by monitoring wild bees adjacent to four apple orchard locations in Southern Pennsylvania, USA. We collected bees using passive Blue Vane traps continuously from April to October for 6 years (2014–2019) amassing over 26,000 bees representing 144 species. We quantified total abundance, richness, diversity, composition, and phylogenetic structure. There were large seasonal changes in all measures of biodiversity with month explaining an average of 72% of the variation in our models. Changes over time were less dramatic with years explaining an average of 44% of the variation in biodiversity metrics. We found declines in all measures of biodiversity especially in the last 3 years, though additional years of sampling are needed to say if changes over time are part of a larger trend. Analyses of population dynamics over time for the 40 most abundant species indicate that about one third of species showed at least some evidence for declines in abundance. Bee family explained variation in species‐level seasonal patterns but we found no consistent family‐level patterns in declines, though bumble bees and sweat bees were groups that declined the most. Overall, our results show that season‐wide standardized sampling across multiple years can reveal nuanced patterns in bee biodiversity, phenological patterns of bees, and population trends over time of many co‐occurring species. These datasets could be used to quantify the relative effects that different aspects of environmental change have on bee communities and to help identify species of conservation concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We develop a new population‐scale model incorporating diapause induction and termination that allows multi‐year predictions of pest dynamics. In addition to predicting phenology and voltinism, the model also allows us to study the degree of overlapping among the life‐stages across time; a quantity not generally predicted by previous models yet a key determinant of how frequently management must be done to maintain control. The model is a physiological, stage‐structured population model that includes temperature‐dependent vital rates, diapause processes, and plasticity in development. The model is statistically fitted with a 33‐year long weekly term time series of Cydia pomonella adults captured in pheromone‐baited traps from a research orchard in southern Pennsylvania. The multiannual model allows investigation of both within season control strategies, as well as the likely consequences of climate change for this important agricultural pest. The model predicts that warming temperatures will cause earlier spring emergence, additional generations, and increased overall abundance. Most importantly, by calculating the circular variance, we find that warmer temperatures are associated with an increase in overlap among life‐stages especially at the beginning of the growing season. Our findings highlight the importance of modeling diapause to fully understand C. pomonella lifecycle and to better inform management for effectively controlling this pest in a warmer future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are one of the most important pollinating species of flowering plants. Recently, populations of honey bees have been declining due to a combination of factors, including the widespread use of agricultural pesticides. Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the acute oral toxicity of different formulated pesticides to honey bee adults. In particular, we assessed the acute oral toxicity of two neonicotinoids (acetamiprid, Assail 30SG and thiamethoxam, Actara 25WDG) and two other systemic insecticide products (sulfoxaflor, Closer 2SC and flupyradifurone, Sivanto 200SL), all of which are generally used in pest management programs in commercial apple orchards in the Eastern United States. Honey bees were fed a range of doses of each pesticide in order to create a response curve, and LC50, LC90, and LD50 values were determined. The pesticide formulation containing flupyradifurone as the active ingredient was found to be the least toxic to honey bees followed by the formulations containing sulfoxaflor and acetamiprid. The toxicity values obtained in this study differ from other studies testing only technical active ingredient compounds, suggesting the need to evaluate formulated products while conducting ecotoxicological risk assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2000, wild black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) has produced erratic seed crops, especially in the Allegheny National Forest where poor seed production has been implicated in difficulties with black cherry regeneration in forest stands. Given that black cherry is insect pollinated and unable to produce viable seed from self-pollination, a reduction in seed crops could be due to a pollination deficit; however, its key pollinators are unknown. Identifying the pollinators and factors that influence pollinator abundance and fidelity is critical for supporting and enhancing seed production for this valuable timber species. Over a two-year period in developed, semideveloped, and forested areas in Pennsylvania, we identified the potential pollinators of black cherry and examined how their abundance, along with several other abiotic and biotic factors, influenced viable seed production. We found that andrenid (Andrenidae: Hymenoptera) bees are likely the most important pollinators. The proportion of viable seeds increased as the number of andrenids increased, and these ground nesting bees were most abundant on forest edges, highlighting this habitat's potential to support pollination services. Andrenids carried an average of 347-fold more black cherry pollen than flies and 18-fold more than halictid (Halictidae: Hymenoptera) bees. We did not find a significant relationship between the abundance of any other taxa besides andrenids and viable seed production. Black cherry flowers also provide resources for natural enemies such as the economically important parasitoid of Popillia japonica Newman (Scarabaeidae: Coleoptera), Tiphia vernalis Rohwer (Tiphiidae: Hymenoptera), which was observed feeding on black cherry nectar in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seventy five percent of the world's food crops benefit from insect pollination. Hence, there has been increased interest in how global change drivers impact this critical ecosystem service. Because standardized data on crop pollination are rarely available, we are limited in our capacity to understand the variation in pollination benefits to crop yield, as well as to anticipate changes in this service, develop predictions, and inform management actions. Here, we present CropPol, a dynamic, open, and global database on crop pollination. It contains measurements recorded from 202 crop studies, covering 3,394 field observations, 2,552 yield measurements (i.e., berry mass, number of fruits, and fruit density [kg/ha], among others), and 47,752 insect records from 48 commercial crops distributed around the globe. CropPol comprises 32 of the 87 leading global crops and commodities that are pollinator dependent. Malus domestica is the most represented crop (32 studies), followed by Brassica napus (22 studies), Vaccinium corymbosum (13 studies), and Citrullus lanatus (12 studies). The most abundant pollinator guilds recorded are honey bees (34.22% counts), bumblebees (19.19%), flies other than Syrphidae and Bombyliidae (13.18%), other wild bees (13.13%), beetles (10.97%), Syrphidae (4.87%), and Bombyliidae (0.05%). Locations comprise 34 countries distributed among Europe (76 studies), North America (60), Latin America and the Caribbean (29), Asia (20), Oceania (10), and Africa (7). Sampling spans three decades and is concentrated on 2001–2005 (21 studies), 2006–2010 (40), 2011–2015 (88), and 2016–2020 (50). This is the most comprehensive open global data set on measurements of crop flower visitors, crop pollinators and pollination to date, and we encourage researchers to add more datasets to this database in the future. This data set is released for non‐commercial use only. Credits should be given to this paper (i.e., proper citation), and the products generated with this database should be shared under the same license terms (CC BY‐NC‐SA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing a lifelong marking method for Lycorma delicatula (White, 1845) is crucial to investigate ecological processes. Here we validate a marking method using stable isotope enrichment (15N) of host plants to track spotted lanternfly (SLF), an invasive species causing economic damage on grapes, hardwood forest and landscape tree species. To validate this method, we first determined the isotope dosage to be sprayed on the host plants and subsequently detected in SLF. Second, we examined whether 15N mark remains detectable from the nymphal to adult stage. We demonstrated that two stable isotope dosages applied to the host plants were assimilated by the insect and equally detectable in the exoskeleton, wings, and mature eggs ready to be oviposited. This safe and reliable method can be used to examine fundamental processes of the biology and ecology of SLF that range from dietary resources and resource allocation to food-web structure and dispersal patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula (White), is an invasive Asian insect that was initially found in Berks County, Pennsylvania, in 2014. As of early 2020, this pest had been found in five more eastern states and it is expected to continue to expand its geographical range. Lycorma delicatula is highly polyphagous but seems to prefer tree-of-heaven, Ailanthus altissima. However, grape growers in Pennsylvania have reported significant damage and loss of vines caused by L. delicatula adults. In fall 2018, two fungal entomopathogens (Beauveria bassiana and Batkoa major) drove localized collapses in L. delicatula populations in Berks County, Pennsylvania. In 2019, we tested applications of a commercialized mycoinsecticide based on B. bassiana strain GHA on L. delicatula populations in a public park in southeastern Pennsylvania. A single application of B. bassiana reduced fourth instar nymphs by 48% after 14 d. Applications of B. bassiana to L. delicatula adults in the same park resulted in 43% mortality after 14 d. Beauveria bassiana spores remained viable on foliage for 5–7 d after spraying. We also conducted semi-field bioassays with B. bassiana GHA (formulated as BoteGHA and Aprehend) and another mycoinsecticide containing Isaria fumosorosea Apopka Strain 97 against L. delicatula adults feeding on potted grapes. All the mycoinsecticides killed ≥90% of adults after 9 d using direct applications. Aprehend killed 99% of adults after 9 d with exposure to residues on sprayed grapes. These data show that fungal entomopathogens can help to suppress populations of L. delicatula in agroecosystems and natural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Checklists provide information about the species found in a defined region and serve as baselines for detecting species range expansions, contractions, or introductions. Bees are a diverse and important group of insect pollinators. Although some bee populations are declining, these patterns are difficult to document and generalize due to a lack of long-term studies for most localities. Documenting the diversity of wild bee communities is critical for assessing pollination services, community ecology, and geographical and temporal changes in distribution and density. Here, an updated checklist of the bees of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, USA, is presented. Since the first checklist was published (2010; 372 species), thousands of additional specimens from the state have been collected and databased, new species have been described in the region, and the taxonomic status of some species have changed. Specimen data from insect collections, databases, scientific literature, and unpublished records were compared to the original checklist. Seventy-nine new state species records - including 49 first-time reports - representing five of the six bee families in North America, were documented resulting in a total of at least 437 bee species reported from Pennsylvania. We highlight new county records and species persistence details. Our list includes a total of 23 exotic species and at least five species of conservation concern. Lists of species excluded from the state checklist and species anticipated to occur in Pennsylvania are also included. This checklist provides baseline data for researchers and the public. The benefits of insect collections, specimen databases, determination and voucher labels, and georeferencing to biodiversity studies and other aspects of biological research are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollinator declines coupled with increasing demand for insect pollinated crops have the potential to cause future pollinator shortages for our most nutritious and valuable crops. Ensuring adequate crop pollination may necessitate a shift in pollination management, from one that primarily relies on the managed European honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) to one that integrates alternative pollinators. While a growing body of scientific evidence supports significant contributions made by naturally occurring, native bees for crop pollination, translating research to practice requires buy-in from growers. The intention of agricultural extension is to address grower needs and concerns; however, few studies have assessed grower knowledge, perceptions and attitudes about native pollinators. Here we present findings from questionnaire-based surveys of over 600 apple growers in New York State and Pennsylvania, coupled with ecological data from bee surveys. This hybrid sociological and biological survey allows us to compare grower knowledge and perceptions to an actual pollinator census. While up to 93% of respondents highly valued importance of native bees, 20% growers did not know how much native bees actually contribute to their orchard pollination. Despite the uncertainty, a majority of growers were open to relying on native bees (up to 60% in NY and 67% in PA) and to making low-cost changes to their farm's management that would benefit native pollinators (up to 68 in NY and 85% in PA). Growers consistently underestimated bee diversity, but their estimates corresponded to major bee groups identifiable by lay persons, indicating accurate local knowledge about native bees. Grower reliance on honeybees increased with farm size; because native bee abundance did not measurably decrease with farm size, renting honeybees may be motivated by risk avoidance rather than grower perception of lower native bee activity. Demonstrated effectiveness of native pollinators and clear guidelines for their management were the most important factors influencing grower decision to actively manage orchards for native bees. Our results highlight a pressing need for an active and research-based extension program to support diversification of pollination strategies in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Insect phenology is driven by local climate variables, most notably temperature. Increased warming has been linked to advancements in critical phenophases such as the spring flight of reproductive adults in the mid‐Atlantic region of the U.S.A. 2. Local climate is governed by the fluctuations of large‐scale climate oscillations. In the northern hemisphere, both the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the Arctic Oscillation (AO) control the local autumn and winter severity. Low NAO and AO indices are associated with colder autumns and winters, which can delay spring phenology. 3. In this study, 36 years of data from experimental fruit orchards in Biglerville, Pennsylvania, were used to run partial least‐squares regressions in order to determine the climate variables related to the spring phenology of five tortricid pest species. 4. The phenology of the tortricid pests did not advance, even though there was evidence of warming at the research site. 5. Spring temperatures were found to be the most significant climate variables in determining the timing of the spring flights. However, autumn–winter temperatures were also important. 6. For the NAO and the AO, it was found that these oscillations affected the tortricid moths by influencing autumn–winter conditions. The oscillations of the NAO and AO can obscure long‐term changes in phenology. 7. These findings suggest that the inclusion of large‐scale climate oscillations can provide important insights into how climate conditions can influence insect phenology, and presents an opportunity for improving the ability to forecast spring emergence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nest provisions of a native predator speciesBicyrtes quadrifasciata(Say) (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae) were surveyed and examined for the presence of nymphs ofHalyomorpha halys, which is an invasive pest of many economically important agricultural crops in the U.S.A. We found 96% of the nest provisions ofB. quadrifasciatawereH. halysindicating the potential ofB. quadrifasciatain biocontrol of this pest. Potential ofB. quadrifasciatain regulating population dynamics ofH. halysis discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

During bloom of spring orchard crops, bees are the primary providers of pollination service. Monitoring these insects for research projects is often done by timed observations or by direct aerial netting, but there has been increasing interest in blue vane traps as an efficient passive approach to collecting bees. Over multiple spring seasons in Michigan and Pennsylvania, orchards were monitored for wild bees using timed netting from crop flowers and blue vane traps. This revealed a distinctly different community of wild bees captured using the two methods, suggesting that blue vane traps can complement but cannot replace direct aerial netting. The bee community in blue vane traps was generally composed of nonpollinating species, which can be of interest for broader biodiversity studies. In particular, blue vane traps caught Eucera atriventris (Smith), Eucera hamata (Bradley), Bombus fervidus (F.), and Agapostemon virescens (F.) that were never collected from the orchard crop flowers during the study period. Captures of bee species in nets was generally stable across the 3 yr, whereas we observed significant declines in the abundance of Lasioglossum pilosum (Smith) and Eucera spp. trapped using blue vane traps during the project, suggesting local overtrapping of reproductive individuals. We conclude that blue vane traps are a useful tool for expanding insights into bee communities within orchard crop systems, but they should be used with great caution to avoid local extirpation of these important insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild pollinators supply essential, historically undervalued pollination services to crops and other flowering plant communities with great potential to ensure agricultural production against the loss of heavily relied upon managed pollinators. Local plant communities provision wild bees with crucial floral and nesting resources, but the distribution of floristic diversity among habitat types in North American agricultural landscapes and its effect on pollinators are diverse and poorly understood, especially in orchard systems. We documented floristic diversity in typical mid-Atlantic commercial apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) orchards including the forest and orchard-forest edge ("edge") habitats surrounding orchards in a heterogeneous landscape in south-central Pennsylvania, USA. We also assessed the correlation between plant richness and orchard pollinator communities. In this apple production region, edge habitats are the most species rich, supporting 146 out of 202 plant species recorded in our survey. Plant species richness in the orchard and edge habitats were significant predictors of bee species richness and abundance in the orchard, as well as landscape area of the forest and edge habitats. Both the quantity and quality of forest and edges close to orchards play a significant role in provisioning a diverse wild bee community in this agroecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bees are important pollinators of numerous crops, and monitoring their abundance and diversity in commercial agricultural ecosystems is of increasing importance due to pollinator declines. In season-long field studies conducted in Pennsylvania during 2011-2013, we evaluated five different bee monitoring passive traps--three pan traps (blue, yellow, and white) and two vane traps (blue and yellow)--for their effectiveness and utility for monitoring bees in commercial apple orchards. Traps were placed prebloom and were monitored weekly until the end of crop season (mid-October). We recorded 14,770 bees comprising 118 species, 27 genera, and five families. The most abundant species were Augochlora pura (Say) (34.4% of total), Ceratina calcarata Robertson (15.5%), Bombus vagans Smith (7.8%), Bombus impatiens Cresson (6.4%), and Apis mellifera L. (4.3%). Bee abundance was highly variable among trap types across the three years and during the bloom and postbloom period. Blue vane traps were found to be the most effective trap type, with significantly higher rates of per-sample species accumulation than all other traps. Species richness estimates were highest for the blue vane and blue pan traps. This study reveals the utility and effectiveness of various traps for studying abundance and diversity of pollinator bees in commercially managed apple orchards. It also provides baseline information about the bee community found during the bloom and postbloom periods in Pennsylvania apple orchards that can be used to measure changes in bee community structure and abundance due to conservation efforts, such as reduced risk IBM programs, habitat management, and augmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed new integrated pest management programs for eastern U.S. peaches with minimal use of organophosphates. From 2002-2005, we assessed the ecological impacts of these reduced-risk programs versus grower standard conventional programs that still relied primarily on the use of organophosphorous and carbamate insecticides. Using a split-plot design replicated at four commercial Pennsylvania peach orchards, we quantified pesticide rates, environmental impact, and arthropod community response. We used Environmental Impact Quotient (EIQ) analysis based on the growers' pesticide records from each orchard to calculate seasonal cumulative EIQ field ratings for all years. Ecological effects of the reduced-risk and conventional program were also measured as the abundance and diversity of nontarget arthropod predators, parasitoids, and selected pest taxa. Pesticide inputs and EIQ values were substantially lower in reduced-risk programs compared with conventional spray programs. Arthropod arrays differed significantly between pest management programs: most beneficial predator and parasitoid taxa were positively associated with the reduced-risk program and negatively associated with the standard grower program. Regardless of the pest management program, we observed significant differences in species arrays in the peach tree canopy compared with the ground cover of the orchards, but the arthropod community did not differ among the field sites or based on distance from the edge of the orchard. We conclude that reduced-risk programs not only provide control comparable with that of conventional programs, but they also reduce negative environmental effects while conserving key arthropod biological control agents within eastern U.S. peach orchards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zaprionus indianus (Gupta) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), an invasive vinegar fly, was found for the first time in Adams County, Pennsylvania, in 2011. It was found in a commercial tart cherry orchard using apple cider vinegar (ACV) traps that were monitoring another invasive vinegar fly, the spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae). Coincidentally, the first record of D. suzukii found in Pennsylvania was also found in this same cherry orchard only 3 months earlier as part of a spotted wing drosophila survey effort in raspberry, blackberry, grape, and tart cherry in Adams County. These same crops plus blueberry and tomato were monitored again in 2012. In this article, adult Z. indianus captures in ACV traps and other traps deployed in the aforementioned crops during 2012 season are presented and the economic importance of Z. indianus is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The topical toxicities of five commercial grade pesticides commonly sprayed in apple orchards were estimated on adult worker honey bees, Apis mellifera (L.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and Japanese orchard bees, Osmia cornifrons (Radoszkowski) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae). The pesticides were acetamiprid (Assail 30SG), λ-cyhalothrin (Warrior II), dimethoate (Dimethoate 4EC), phosmet (Imidan 70W), and imidacloprid (Provado 1.6F). At least 5 doses of each chemical, diluted in distilled water, were applied to freshly-eclosed adult bees. Mortality was assessed after 48 hr. Dose-mortality regressions were analyzed by probit analysis to test the hypotheses of parallelism and equality by likelihood ratio tests. For A. mellifera, the decreasing order of toxicity at LD50 was imidacloprid, λ-cyhalothrin, dimethoate, phosmet, and acetamiprid. For O. cornifrons, the decreasing order of toxicity at LD50 was dimethoate, λ-cyhalothrin, imidacloprid, acetamiprid, and phosmet. Interaction of imidacloprid or acetamiprid with the fungicide fenbuconazole (Indar 2F) was also tested in a 1∶1 proportion for each species. Estimates of response parameters for each mixture component applied to each species were compared with dose-response data for each mixture in statistical tests of the hypothesis of independent joint action. For each mixture, the interaction of fenbuconazole (a material non-toxic to both species) was significant and positive along the entire line for the pesticide. Our results clearly show that responses of A. mellifera cannot be extrapolated to responses of O.cornifrons, and that synergism of neonicotinoid insecticides and fungicides occurs using formulated product in mixtures as they are commonly applied in apple orchards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Stethorini are unique among the Coccinellidae in specializing on mites (principally Tetranychidae) as prey. Consisting of 90 species in two genera, Stethorus and Parasthethorus, the tribe is practically cosmopolitan. The Stethorini are found in a diverse range of habitats, including many agricultural systems such as pome and stone fruits, brambles, tree nuts, citrus, avocadoes, bananas, papaya, palms, tea, cassava, maize, strawberries, vegetables, and cotton, as well as ornamental plantings, grasslands, forests, and heathlands. Tetranychid mite outbreaks became common in many agricultural systems only after World War II, when widespread use of broad-spectrum insecticides increased. Stethorini were initially appreciated only for their ability to suppress severe outbreaks of tetranychid populations. However, research on their prey searching behaviors reveals that Stethorini use visual and olfactory stimuli to locate small mite colonies in patchy distributions, and can be very effective in regulating their prey at low densities. Moreover, acariphagous coccinellids colonize mite outbreaks earlier, and consume more pest mites, than many other mite predators. Key to the use of coccinellids in conservation biological control programs is the provision of overwintering habitats and refuges from pesticides in and near cropland. When these conditions are fulfilled, Stethorini often play important roles in maintaining suppression of tetranychid populations. Examples of successful biological mite control with Stethorini include apple orchards in Pennsylvania, USA, and citrus in Asia, and the unintended disruption of a tetranychid-based biological control program for the invasive woody weed, gorse, in Australia and New Zealand. The systematics and taxonomy of this group is challenging with many cryptic species, and molecular diagnostic tools are sorely needed. How best to utilize their mite-suppressive potential in diverse settings requires better knowledge of their requirements including utilization of alternative foods, refuges for dormancy and from nonselective pesticides, and host-finding mechanisms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Most transgenic corn seed is now treated with systemic neonicotinoid insecticides. To address potential direct nontarget effects of these combined technologies, 16 Carabidae species from 10 genera (Agonum, Amara, Anisodactylus, Bembidion, Chlaenius, Harpalus, Patrobus, Poecilus, Pterostichus, and Scarites) field-collected from corn were directly exposed to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry toxin-laden pollens and seed treatments in feeding and defined-dose bioassays. All adults readily fed on field or sweet corn pollens that expressed coleopteran-specific Cry3Bbl or lepidopteran-targeting CrylAb/c, and no significant toxicity was observed. Adult survivorship ranged from 47 d for the predator Pterostichus melanarius (Illiger) to a year for the more omnivorous Scarites quadriceps Chaudoir, feeding solely on pollen containing 30-90 μg Cry3Bbl/g and water. In contrast, commercial doses of neonicotinoid seed treatments (imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, or clothianidin) elicited nearly complete mortality for 18 carabid species in 4-d bioassays containing corn seedlings. Carabid consumption of fungicide-only (fludioxonil plus mefenoxam) seed treatments was generally observed within 1 d, compared with a 2-d latency on neonicotinoid treatments, suggesting an antifeedant effect of the insecticide. In microcosm bioassays containing a corn seedling and five prey, clothianidin seed treatments killed adult western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte and S. quadriceps, although the smaller Harpalus pensylvanicus (DeGeer) was more tolerant. We conclude that the neonicotinoid/fungicide seed treatments, and not Cry3Bbl or CryIAb/c, are a major direct mortality factor for ground beetles. Field studies are needed to determine population and community level effects on Carabidae when these transgenic and seed-treatment technologies are combined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blue orchard bees, [Osmia lignaria (Say) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)], have been developed as an important pollinator for orchard crops in North America over the last 40 years. The toxicity of several pesticides to O. lignaria and other Osmia species has been previously reported. However, the field-realistic toxicity of formulated premix insecticides comprised of multiple active ingredients (each with a different mode of action) to O. lignaria has not been assessed. Here, we use a customized spray tower in a laboratory setting to assess adult male and female whole-body direct contact exposure to four formulated pesticide mixtures: thiamethoxam + lambda-cyhalothrin (TLC), imidacloprid + beta-cyfluthrin (IBC), chlorantraniliprole + lambda-cyhalothrin (CLC) and methoxyfenozide + spinetoram (MS) by directly spraying anesthetized bees in Petri dishes. Separately, adult male and female whole-body direct contact exposure to formulated imidacloprid (I), beta-cyfluthrin (BC) and their 1:1 binary combination (IBC) was assessed using the same experimental method. Resulting mortality in each study was screened up to 96 h post-treatment to determine acute whole-body contact toxicity. In the first study, TLC and IBC resulted in statistically higher mortality at 24 and 48 h than the two other insecticide combinations tested. The CLC and MS combinations were slower acting and the highest mortality for O. lignaria exposed to these mixtures was recorded at 96 h. We did observe significant differences in toxicity between CLC and MS. In the second study, exposure to the 1:1 binary combination of IBC caused overall significantly higher mortality than exposure to I or BC alone. Both active ingredients alone, however, demonstrated equivalent levels of mortality to the 1:1 binary combination treatment at the 96 h observation reading, indicating increased speed of kill, but not necessarily increased toxicity. Significant differences in the onset of mortality following acute contact whole-body exposure to the formulated insecticide mixtures and individual active ingredients tested were consistently observed across all experiments in both studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollinators provide a crucial ecosystem service by pollinating commercially cultivated crops, but they are frequently exposed to various agricultural chemicals used for pest management. In this study, we assessed the potential exposure of pollinators to various systemic insecticides and a fungicide used in apple orchards. Residue levels were determined for the whole flower as well as pollen and nectar separately for pre-bloom applications of acetamiprid, imidacloprid, sulfoxaflor, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, and myclobutanil. Very low pesticide residue levels (2–70 parts per billion, ppb) were found in the whole flower, pollen and nectar samples compared with pesticide concentrations of 60–200 parts per million (ppm) in applied foliarly only 5 days earlier. Insecticide residues from nectar and pollen samples were below the USA EPA classification of No Observable Effect Limit (NOEL) for acute toxicity to honey bees, suggesting that a single foraging visit to flowers may not cause toxicity to bees. However, cumulative acute exposure from multiple flower visits could potentially be harmful to bees, and needs to be studied further. We also examined apple flowers for residues of several systemic insecticides that were applied for brown marmorated stink bug control late in the fall of the previous season. None of the fall sprays that contained premixed insecticide active ingredients (viz., thiamethoxam + lambda-cyhalothrin, and imidacloprid + beta-cyfluthrin), including multiple applications of individual active ingredients (viz., dinotefuran, clothianidin, and sulfoxaflor), persisted until the following spring. Based on these findings, fall applications of insecticides used for controlling invasive pests such as the brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) and the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) could be considered safe to pollinator species foraging in apple orchards during the spring bloom the following season. Image 1 • Low pesticide residues were found in apple pollen and nectar from pre-bloom foliar sprays. • Residue levels suggest that a single visit to flowers may not cause toxicity to bees. • No residues were detected in spring from the previous year fall sprays of insecticides. • Fall sprays could be considered safe to pollinators foraging in the following spring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollinator nutritional ecology provides insights into plant–pollinator interactions, coevolution, and the restoration of declining pollinator populations. Bees obtain their protein and lipid nutrient intake from pollen, which is essential for larval growth and development as well as adult health and reproduction. Our previous research revealed that pollen protein to lipid ratios (P:L) shape bumble bee foraging preferences among pollen host-plant species, and these preferred ratios link to bumble bee colony health and fitness. Yet, we are still in the early stages of integrating data on P:L ratios across plant and bee species. Here, using a standard laboratory protocol, we present over 80 plant species' protein and lipid concentrations and P:L values, and we evaluate the P:L ratios of pollen collected by three bee species. We discuss the general phylogenetic, phenotypic, behavioral, and ecological trends observed in these P:L ratios that may drive plant–pollinator interactions; we also present future research questions to further strengthen the field of pollination nutritional ecology. This dataset provides a foundation for researchers studying the nutritional drivers of plant–pollinator interactions as well as for stakeholders developing planting schemes to best support pollinators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osmia cornifrons (Radoszkowski) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) is an effective orchard pollinator. Considering the honey bee population decline in recent years, the conservation and propagation of O. cornifrons as an alternative managed pollinator is important in ensuring adequate pollination of tree fruit crops in the eastern United States. A field study was conducted to determine if nest modifications could reduce mite parasites and parasitoid natural enemies that attack managed O. cornifrons. Paraffin-coated paper liners (straws) were added to create modified nests, and were compared with the unmodified nests (i.e., nests without paper liners). In each nest, we recorded the number of nest cells with cleptoparasitic mites Chaetodactylus krombeini (Baker), and the presence of a parasitoid wasp Monodontomerus obscurus (Westwood). We also recorded the number of cocoons, male pupae, female pupae, and unconsumed pollen-nectar provision masses in these nests. Results showed that using paper liners in nest-tunnels greatly reduced the invasion of natural enemies of managed populations of O. cornifrons. Most notably, the addition of paper liners provided protection from invasion by C. krombeini mites, as the mean number of nest cells with mites were significantly lower in these lined nests compared to the nests without paper liners. A significantly higher number of male and female cocoons of O. cornifrons were recorded in the nests with paper liners. The population of M. obscurus was almost negligible in this field study. These results suggest that using nests with paper liners may accelerate the O. cornifrons population establishment and propagation in commercial orchards of rosaceous fruit crops, and possibly in other crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fire blight, which is caused by the bacteria Erwinia amylovora, remains one of the most important diseases limiting the productivity of apple and pear orchards in the United States. In commercial orchards, in-season fire blight management relies exclusively on the use of antibiotic treatments (such as streptomycin and oxytetracycline) and on bacterial biocontrol agents whose efficacy is limited. We hypothesize that the efficacy of the biocontrol agents can be greatly enhanced through targeted delivery to flowers, which serve as initial infection courts, using the Japanese orchard bee, Osmia cornifrons. Many factors, such as the synchrony of life cycle with plant phenology and specificity to pomaceous plants, suggest that O. cornifrons could be an excellent vector of the biocontrol products during bloom in pome tree fruits. However, deployment of this pollinator species to deliver biocontrol agents for fire blight control has not been attempted previously due to the lack of an efficient system to pack the bodies of the bees exiting nesting tubes with the biocontrol products. In this study, we design and test a dispenser system to facilitate the use of O. conifrons as a vector for commercially available biocontrol products for fire blight control. The effectiveness of O. conifrons to deliver biocontrol agents to flowers, and to effect secondary dissemination from treated to untreated flowers is also evaluated in greenhouse experiments. We found that the O. conifrons bees were able to use the nest dispenser designed for the delivery of biological control products, and are effective in vectoring and delivering the Bacillus subtilis-based biological control product (Serenade®) to apple blossoms. We also found that the O. cornifrons were effective in secondary inoculation of this biological control product to newly-opened flowers. These findings suggest the potential use of commercially available O. conifrons and other orchard bees in targeted delivery of biological control products for fire blight, and possibly other diseases, in different fruit crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spotted lanternfly , Lycorma delicatula (White) (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae), was first detected in the United States in southeastern Pennsylvania in late 2014. Since then, the range of this polyphagous pest has increased to multiple states in the Northeastern U.S., threatening many agricultural commodities, including grape and tree fruit. Several insecticides were tested for residual efficacy on eggs, nymphs, and adult L. delicatula. In both laboratory and field bioassays on L. delicatula egg masses, chlorpyrifos was the only compound to provide 100% mortality and paraffinic oil offered intermediate mortality up to 71%. In semi-field and field bioassays against L. delicatula nymphs and adults, several compounds from multiple insecticide classes, including pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, carbamates, and organophosphates, had excellent knockdown activity. However, only thiamethoxam and bifenthrin offered control of 50% or greater up to 14 days after the application for adults. None of the OMRI-listed compounds evaluated in this study provided effective control, indicating anticipated difficulty among organic producers in reducing damage from this new and important pest. As L. delicatula continues to expand its geographic range, we may have to be reliant on chemical control until biological or other cultural control measures are discovered and implemented. These data have helped to formulate pest management programs as a first response to this invasive insect. • Spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is a new and destructive invasive insect. • Field and semi-field insecticide efficacy assays were conducted for L. delicatula. • Chlorpyrifos was found to be effective at killing 100% of eggs. • Thiamethoxam and bifenthrin offered control of adults up to 14 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]