Bumble bee nest site survey
Athena Anderson at the University of Georgia has developed a nest site survey to learn more about nest site and habitat features for bumble bees throughout North America and make this information available to anyone at no cost. Survey results and a narrative report will be available for viewing after each survey season is over (usually in November/December). The Xerces Society is hosting this survey in order to help Athena connect with people who may have observed bumble bee nests.
Bumble bees are important pollinators of agricultural crops and wild plants, but we know little about their natural history in North America. Anecdotal evidence and preliminary research suggest that bumble bee species are declining throughout the continent but much more research is needed. You can help! By filling out this short survey when you find a bumble bee nest, you’ll be contributing to important research on bumble bees. Every detail brings us closer to understanding and conserving these important pollinators!
A bumble bee nest might be located anywhere- one of the reasons for this survey is to find out where they like to nest! It could be under a log, in the ground, in a tree, in the side of a building, or in an old mouse burrow. You’ll know you’ve found a nest if you see bumble bees flying into and out of the same hole repeatedly and if you hear a humming sound near the hole. Bumble bees are gentle and ignore people unless grabbed or their nest threatened, so you’re not likely to get stung unless you block the entrance or if you disturb the nest itself. When you’re near the nest, move slowly and walk softly so you don’t alarm them and you’re very unlikely to be stung. You will likely not be able to see the nest, as it will probably be concealed by something like leaves or grass. Don’t try to uncover the nest if you can’t see it. You don’t need to see the nest itself to contribute invaluable information for this research- just be as descriptive of the location as possible.
Please contact Athena Anderson with any questions about this survey at nestsurvey
yahoo
com (nestsurveyyahoocom) .
Thanks again for your support of bumble bee research!