Biology of Bees (and Butterflies) in New York City Kevin C. Matteson Department of Biological Sciences Fordham University

Butterfly diversity ~20,000 species worldwide, most in tropics ~700 species in North America 121 species known to inhabit or migrate through New York City 24 species in community gardens

~20,000 species worldwide, most in tropics

~700 species in North America

121 species known to inhabit or migrate through New York City

24 species in community gardens

Bee diversity ~20,000 species worldwide, most in arid regions ~4,000 species in North America ~227 species in New York City 54 species found in community gardens

~20,000 species worldwide, most in arid regions

~4,000 species in North America

~227 species in New York City

54 species found in community gardens

Pollination Keep in mind: Not all bees or butterflies pollinate

Wasps aren’t bees!

Tourists Outcasts Hustlers Immigrants City Slickers Introduction to Urban Pollinators

Introduction to Urban Pollinators The City Slicker: Cabbage white butterfly ( Pieris rapae ) Keywords: Multi-voltine Nomadic

The City Slicker:

Cabbage white butterfly ( Pieris rapae )

Keywords:

Multi-voltine

Nomadic

Introduction to Urban Pollinators The Tourist: Monarch butterfly Keywords Migratory Range, eastern seaboard Timing of flights

The Tourist:

Monarch butterfly

Keywords

Migratory

Range, eastern seaboard

Timing of flights

Photo credit: Toryporter

Introduction to Urban Pollinators The Hustler: Bombus impatiens Keywords: Polylectic vs. oligolectic Eusocial vs. solitary Central place foragers

The Hustler:

Bombus impatiens

Keywords:

Polylectic vs. oligolectic

Eusocial vs. solitary

Central place foragers

Bumble bee abundance highest on exotic plants

The Bumble Bee Lifecycle

Bumble bee flight range - ~1000 m from nest

The Immigrant: Hylaeus leptocephalus Keywords Cavity-nesting vs. soil-nesting species Flight range NYC has 10 of the 21 exotic bees known to North America Introduction to Urban Pollinators

The Immigrant:

Hylaeus leptocephalus

Keywords

Cavity-nesting vs. soil-nesting species

Flight range

NYC has 10 of the 21 exotic bees known to North America

Hylaeus flight range - ~150 m from nest

Introduction to Urban Pollinators The Outcast: Flies! Keywords: Two wings not four, larger eyes, faster flight, no ‘waist’ Eristalis and other syrphid flies are important pollinators

The Outcast:

Flies!

Keywords:

Two wings not four, larger eyes, faster flight, no ‘waist’

Eristalis and other syrphid flies are important pollinators

Photo credit: Wally Gobetz

Photo credit: Zach K

Needs of Urban Pollinators Room and Board! Nest Site Pollen/Nectar ? ?

Needs of Urban Pollinators Room and Board for larva and adult! Keep in mind recommendations may need to be species specific! Not rocket science but does take some research and planning Nest Site Nectar/Pollen Larva ? ? Adult ? ?

Keep in mind recommendations may need to be species specific!

Not rocket science but does take some research and planning

Tremont Community Garden, Bronx 20 bee species, 12 butterfly species

Thank You!