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bioRxiv · 10.1101/556498

High sampling effectiveness for non-bee pollinators using vane traps in both open and wooded habitats

Hall, M. A.·Reboud, E. L.
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Abstract

O_LINon-bee insects are important for pollination, yet few studies have assessed the effectiveness of sampling these taxa using low cost passive techniques, such as coloured vane traps, among different habitat types. C_LIO_LIThis study sampled 192 sites--108 in wooded and 84 in open habitats within an agricultural region of southern Australia. Pairs of blue and yellow vane traps were placed at each site for a period of seven days during the austral spring. C_LIO_LIOverall, 3114 flies (Diptera) from 19 families and 528 wasps (non-bee and non-formicid Hymenoptera) from 16 families were collected during the study. This sampling was representative of the region, with vane traps equally or more likely to collect as many families from both taxa as those reported on the Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) database for the sampling area. C_LIO_LIBlue vane taps (BVTs) had greater average richness of both flies and wasps and greater abundance of individuals than yellow vane traps (YVTs). BVTs were particularly favoured by certain fly and wasp families known to pollinate flowers (e.g. Syrphidae, Bombyliidae and Scoliidae), whilst YVTs sampled some less common fly families, such as Acroceridae and Bibionidae that also provide additional ecosystem services to pollination. C_LIO_LIVane traps are an effective passive sampling technique for non-bee pollinators, such as flies and wasps. This study supports the use of vane traps as a component of the sampling protocol for ecological census and population monitoring within multiple habitat types, to effectively sample a more complete pollinator community. C_LI

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Hall, M. A., Reboud, E. L.. 2019-02-21. High sampling effectiveness for non-bee pollinators using vane traps in both open and wooded habitats. https://doi.org/10.1101/556498

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