Surveys of Pollinators on Chestnuts (Castanea) in New York Orchards

Study Extent

Sampling occurred in chestnut orchards in New York State during the male catkin flowering period in July.

Sampling

Sites were surveyed once in 2023, with untimed pilot sampling occurring once at the Sherburne orchard in 2022. Ten 1-minute sweeps were performed on chestnut catkins to collect insect flower visitors. Insects caught in net sweeps were individually packaged, labeled, and then frozen. Female chestnut flowers were observed for five minutes each to detect any insect visitors. Pollen was scraped off of specimens in the lab and preserved on microscope slides for pollen grain identification. All specimens were then pinned and labeled.

Quality Control

Non-Dialictus bee specimens, flies, beetles, wasps, and lepidopterans were identified by Molly Jacobson. Lasioglossum (Dialictus) specimens were identified by Sam Droege (USGS Native Bee Inventory & Monitoring Lab). Andrena of note and Hylaeus specimens were verified by Sam Droege. Specimens and pollen samples currently housed at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

Method steps

1. Sampling dates were determined by communication with site managers about site-specific chestnut flowering periods. Chestnut flowers were swept in one-minute increments on as many separate trees as were available. After sweeps were completed, female flowers were located and observed by M. Jacobson and field technician for any insect visitors. Specimens were chilled in field and taken back to lab and frozen. Pollen was extracted from specimens where possible and then all specimens were washed, dried (for bees), and pinned. Pollen samples were examined and identified by Hannah Pilkey (American Chestnut Research and Restoration Project at SUNY ESF).

N/A

1. Halictidae
   rank: family
2. Andrenidae
   rank: family
3. Calliphoridae
   rank: family
4. Anthomyiidae
   rank: family
5. Tabanidae
   rank: family
6. Stratiomyidae
   rank: family
7. Erebidae
   rank: family
8. Tachinidae
   rank: family
9. Nymphalidae
   rank: family
10. Hesperiidae
    rank: family
11. Mordellidae
    rank: family
12. Syrphidae
    rank: family
13. Colletidae
    rank: family
14. Lycaenidae
    rank: family
15. Cleridae
    rank: family
16. Cerambycidae
    rank: family
17. Cantharidae
    rank: family
18. Scarabaeidae
    rank: family
19. Crabronidae
    rank: family
20. Vespidae
    rank: family
21. Sarcophagidae
    rank: family
22. Apidae
    rank: family

New York State, USA