HOW IS NATIVE, CAVITY-NESTING BEE COLONIZATION DRIVEN BY RESOURCE AVAILABILITY & HABITAT COVERAGE WITHIN AN URBAN COLLEGE CAMPUS?

Abstract

To expand research regarding the influence of urban infrastructure on bee ecology, this study assessed the specific response of native, cavity-nesting bees to varying habitat qualities between three sites at the University of North Texas. Six bee boxes were installed at three sites to gather colonization data, while pollinator-visitation events provided data about floral resource use. Data collection persisted from late-June to late-October, 2024, with sampling occurring from 10:00 a.m. to noon every Friday. The results indicated a preference for Dianthidium sp. to colonize habitats with high floral availability, low nesting availability, and high-habitat coverage.