[Pollinator] USU, USDA Entomologists Create Exotic Bee Identification Tool

[Kelly Rourke]

*From:* Cox-Foster, Diana - ARS [mailto:Diana.Cox-Foster at ARS.USDA.GOV]
*Sent:* Monday, October 22, 2018 2:37 PM
*To:* Kelly Rourke <kr at pollinator.org>

*USU, USDA Entomologists Create Exotic Bee Identification Tool*

Short Intro: USDA-funded resource will aid customs officials, managers in
native bee protection



Many bees nest in stems, twigs and crevasses, which makes them adept
stowaways, says Utah State University entomologist Skyler Burrows. For this
reason, customs officials and other managers monitor entry of non-native
bee species, inadvertently shipped with imported produce and products
through the nation’s many ports, with vigilance.



“Invasive species can cause declines in native bee populations through
competition for food and habitat or introduction of pathogens and
parasites,” says Lori Spears, professional practice assistant professor in
USU’s Department of Biology.  “Native bees are critical to both
agricultural and natural ecosystems, so having screening tools to identify,
monitor and intercept non-native bees is important.”



To that end, Burrows and Spears, along with USU and USDA Bee Lab colleagues
Morgan Christman, Allan Smith-Pardo, Steven Price, Ricardo Ramirez, Terry
Griswold and Amanda Redford created Exotic Bee ID, an online identification
tool, for the USDA Identification Technology Program.



“The identification tool is designed to aid non-entomologists in accurate
identification of species, to help these managers better plan
interventions,” Spears says. “Until now, few resources have been available
for intercepting potentially harmful invasive species.”



The new tool includes instructions on bee specimen preparation, bee
morphology illustrations, an illustrated glossary of terms, a filterable
image gallery, searchable fact sheets and two interactive identification
keys.



Though designed primarily for professionals working at ports of entry,
state departments of agriculture and university extension agents, access to
Exotic Bee ID is free and open to all.



“This tool is the first of three phases planned for Exotic Bee ID,” says
Griswold, USDA research entomologist and adjunct assistant professor in
USU’s Department of Biology. “Future releases will include keys, fact
sheets and images for additional bee families and genera.”



The current release includes species that have already been introduced into
the United States or have a high potential to invade.



“As we continue to work on future releases, we’ll be able to zoom in on
particular genera and provide more detail on selected species, based on
their potential invasiveness.” Says Christman, a graduate student in USU’s
Department of Biology.



View Exotic Bee ID at the following USDA-APHIS link [
http://idtools.org/id/bees/exotic/].







Kelly Rourke

Director of Programs

Pollinator Partnership

423 Washington Street, 5th Floor

San Francisco, CA 94111

e:  kr at pollinator.org

w:  www.pollinator.org

p:  415.362.1137

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