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Utah remains rich in bee diversity
Researchers documented 1,167 bee species in the state
Utah is living up to its nickname as the “Beehive State,” after researchers found high bee diversity there. Researchers set out to document Utah’s bee species to determine the best way to conserve them. To do so, the team used online records from the Symbiota Collection of Arthropods Network as well as specimen records from the USDA-ARS Pollinating Insect Research Unit. In total, the researchers documented 1,167 bee species in the state. “Our checklist helps scientists and managers understand bee distributions, which are essential to protecting these vital pollinators,” said Anthony Hunsaker, an undergraduate researcher and author of the study. “The information can help managers limit adverse impacts if a new invasive species is introduced.”
Header Image: Bees of the Genus Diadasia, also known as chimney bees, mallow bees or digger bees, build cylindrical nests in the middle of a dirt road near Moab, Utah. Credit: Joseph S. Wilson, USU
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