Temporal Patterns in Bee Size Distribution Within a Flowering Season
Abstract
Bees play a critical ecological role as pollinators, but their foraging behavior and pollination efficiency can vary across species based on key functional traits such as body size, which can determine floral resource use and foraging distance. Several studies have documented shifts in bee species diversity and composition across a flowering season. However, how key functional traits that determine pollination efficiency may change across temporal scales (during the day and across the season) is not known. This knowledge is key in order to fully understand the potential functional consequences of shifts in bee composition and abundance across temporal scales (within a day and across the season). This study examines the phenological patterns of three bee species and evaluates changes in average bee body size at the beginning, middle and end of the flowering season. We will further evaluate changes in temporal foraging patterns throughout the day and across the foraging season by evaluating differences in the size and diversity of pollen loads carried by individual pollinators. Bee specimens were collected from serpentine seep habitats in Lower Lake, California, and the date and time of each collection event were recorded. Collected bees were identified by morphospecies and then measured for body size and intertegular distance as key morphological traits. Bees will be swabbed, and the number and identity of pollen grains carried will be determined for each individual insect. Data were recorded for 15 individuals across three morphospecies (Bombus, Apis mellifera, and Andrena subchalybea) and categorized into three seasonal periods (early, middle, and late). This project aims to analyze how temporal activity patterns differ among morphospecies, and bee size. Understanding these patterns may provide insight into how bee functional traits contribute to resource use and pollination dynamics within ecosystems.
Start Time
15-4-2026 9:00 AM
End Time
15-4-2026 10:00 AM
Room Number
272
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Presentation Subtype
Research-in-Progress
Presentation Category
Science, Technology, and Engineering
Faculty Mentor
Arceo-Gomez Gerardo
Temporal Patterns in Bee Size Distribution Within a Flowering Season
272
Bees play a critical ecological role as pollinators, but their foraging behavior and pollination efficiency can vary across species based on key functional traits such as body size, which can determine floral resource use and foraging distance. Several studies have documented shifts in bee species diversity and composition across a flowering season. However, how key functional traits that determine pollination efficiency may change across temporal scales (during the day and across the season) is not known. This knowledge is key in order to fully understand the potential functional consequences of shifts in bee composition and abundance across temporal scales (within a day and across the season). This study examines the phenological patterns of three bee species and evaluates changes in average bee body size at the beginning, middle and end of the flowering season. We will further evaluate changes in temporal foraging patterns throughout the day and across the foraging season by evaluating differences in the size and diversity of pollen loads carried by individual pollinators. Bee specimens were collected from serpentine seep habitats in Lower Lake, California, and the date and time of each collection event were recorded. Collected bees were identified by morphospecies and then measured for body size and intertegular distance as key morphological traits. Bees will be swabbed, and the number and identity of pollen grains carried will be determined for each individual insect. Data were recorded for 15 individuals across three morphospecies (Bombus, Apis mellifera, and Andrena subchalybea) and categorized into three seasonal periods (early, middle, and late). This project aims to analyze how temporal activity patterns differ among morphospecies, and bee size. Understanding these patterns may provide insight into how bee functional traits contribute to resource use and pollination dynamics within ecosystems.
