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Researchers tell Senate Agriculture Committee Treasure Valley has dozens of native bee species; warn of pollinator losses
Summary
Dr. Ron Bittner described a USDA-funded survey of pollinators in the Treasure Valley, reporting roughly 6,000–8,000 specimens collected, at least 76 species identified locally, and concern about habitat loss and large honeybee colony declines.
Dr. Ron Bittner, a pollinator researcher, told the Senate Agriculture Committee that a recent specialty-crop grant-funded survey in the Treasure Valley collected between 6,000 and 8,000 bees and has identified at least 76 species so far. He said Idaho has more than 700 known bee species overall and that most of the specimens collected in the valley were ground-nesting bees.
Bittner described methods used in the survey—color pan traps (white, blue and yellow) filled with soapy water—to sample native bee diversity across multiple crops and noncrop habitats. He said the project worked with Oregon…
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