Missing jewels: the decline of a wood-nesting forest bee, Augochlora pura (Hymenoptera: Halictidae), in northern Georgia
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: It is clear from research on pollinator declines that some taxa are more vulnerable than others. The sooner these more sensitive species are detected, and the cause(s) contributing to their decline are identified, the better the chance of developing effective conservation plans. Using data from nine studies conducted in northern Georgia, U.S., we present evidence that Augochlora pura (Say) (Hymenoptera: Halictidae), once one of the most abundant of all forest bee species in our study area, is becoming less common as a proportion of all bees collected and has experienced a 70 % decline in abundance over the past 18 years (2007–2024) at long-term monitoring sites. We hypothesize that Brachyponera chinensis (Emery) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), the Asian needle ant, is contributing to the decline of A. pura and possibly other bee species within its invaded range.
Source: Florida Entomologist
Language: English
Topic: Plant and animal studies
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Life on land
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,130
OpenAlex ID: W4408919476