Previous research in europe has shown that morphological and behavioral differences may lead to nichedifferentiation in bumble BEE species, but abundant resources and habitat heterogeneity might…

Previous research in europe has shown that morphological and behavioral differences may lead to nichedifferentiation in bumble BEE species, but abundant resources and habitat heterogeneity might allowcoexistence of bees that overlap considerably in their ecological niche. The wisconsin department ofnatural resources and community scientists will be working with the united states geological survey tocompare plant species composition and associated BEE species from the federally endangered rustypatched bumble BEE localities with comparable samples from geographically similar localitieswhere rusty patched bumble BEE has not been detected. Surveys will follow the long-term rusty patchedbumble BEE monitoring draft protocol coordinated by the united states geological survey. The work willbe focused within wisconsins lake michigan and lake superior watersheds. We predict that rustypatched bumble bees are more likely to occur in areas with high overall bumble BEE species richnessand seasonal continuity of pollen-rich floral resources (including nearby assemblages of woodlandwildflowers). Results will be shared with conservation partners, land managers and bumble BEE brigadevolunteers. Furthermore, we anticipate these data will directly inform future management decisionsin wisconsin and contribute to the rusty patched bumble BEE recovery strategy.