Articles
Composition of flower-visiting Hymenoptera in flowerbeds and grasslands in Chiba City, Japan
Article number
1345_17
Pages
129 – 136
Language
English
Abstract
Flower-visiting insects play an essential role in both natural and managed ecosystems.
However, there has been a concern regarding the decline of the number of Hymenoptera both regionally and globally.
This research aims to provide habitat and feeding sites for the managed honey bee, Apis mellifera, and native flower-visiting Hymenoptera through their foraging plants in the urban landscape.
To achieve this aim, the abundance, number of species, and diversity of Hymenoptera species were studied in four urban flowerbeds and four grasslands in Chiba City, Japan.
The study was carried out every two weeks from June to October 2019 in total 9 times.
In total, 20 species of Hymenoptera were observed.
Species richness and diversity (Shannon-Weiner diversity index) was significantly higher in flowerbeds than in grasslands, although there was no significant difference between them in abundance.
We conclude that urban flowerbeds can contribute to sustaining diverse Hymenoptera flower-visiting in the city.
It is important to conserve grassland for A. mellifera and selective weeding is recommended to keep nectar source plants such as clover.
However, there has been a concern regarding the decline of the number of Hymenoptera both regionally and globally.
This research aims to provide habitat and feeding sites for the managed honey bee, Apis mellifera, and native flower-visiting Hymenoptera through their foraging plants in the urban landscape.
To achieve this aim, the abundance, number of species, and diversity of Hymenoptera species were studied in four urban flowerbeds and four grasslands in Chiba City, Japan.
The study was carried out every two weeks from June to October 2019 in total 9 times.
In total, 20 species of Hymenoptera were observed.
Species richness and diversity (Shannon-Weiner diversity index) was significantly higher in flowerbeds than in grasslands, although there was no significant difference between them in abundance.
We conclude that urban flowerbeds can contribute to sustaining diverse Hymenoptera flower-visiting in the city.
It is important to conserve grassland for A. mellifera and selective weeding is recommended to keep nectar source plants such as clover.
Authors
T. Kakeya, H. Taki, A. Nagase
Keywords
biodiversity, urban landscape, bee conservation
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