An inspiring 3-year study began on developing bee habitats in an unexpected place β log landings β places where loggers stack, sort, and load timber into trucks during timber harvests. Check it out: https://t.co/oh6jmfeUgK https://t.co/DqaQdT5ufp @PileLauren @forestservice
Happy pollinator week from the PHiLL project! A reminder to do what you can to support wild pollinators this week (and every week). Plant native plants, share an INaturalist photo, mow your lawn less, avoid pesticides and leave your garden wild!
Happy pollinator week from the PHiLL project! Check out this photo of a species of conservation concern we caught on a log landing last week, a queen American bumblebee!
Day 3 of the PHiLL Projectβs three-forest tour ended on a high note at @marktwain_nf. The bee balm (Monarda fistulosa) was blooming profusely! A lot of exciting vegetation sampling to come this summer (with some promising species richnessβ¦) π
The field season in numbers so far:
Elk: 36
Road-killed armadillos seen: 27
Bears: 1
Rattlesnakes: 1
Turtles helped to cross the road: at least 1 a day!
Ticks: TOO MANY
Cool bees seen: Lots :) pictured is an Andrena sp. (likely Andrena krigiana).
The Pollinator Habitat in Log Landings project is looking for a Native Plants Field Technician for the summer field season. Pay is $15/hr & training is provided. This is a good opportunity to learn a lot of plant ID & get involved with restoration research. See flyer & share!
On Thursday the 3 MS students on the PHiLL proj, @aliza_fassler, Sloane, and Will updated FS scientists, researchers, and collaborators on the past field season and recent work. From bee processing, a new greenhouse experiment, and soil analyses, the 2nd year of 3 is promisingπ
What will I bee doing all fall? Pinning & IDβing tricky bee specimens that can only be IDβd using microscopic characteristics. Like this male Coelioxys sp. #beeoftheweek Female Coelioxys are nest parasites, laying their eggs in the nests of other bee species like a cuckoo bird!
The green bees are loving the hoary mt. mint on the @HoosierNF log landings this week! @PHiLLProject Check out the tiny pink polka dots on the flowers π
Did you know male bumblebees often have a patch of yellow on their noses like a tiny mustache? Check out the nose on this two-spot bumblebee (Bombus bimaculatus)! π#beeoftheweek