Capabilities

Learn about our current projects

To know the status of bees you must find and count them. Unfortunately, few species are identifiable in the field (too small, many species (~4000 in the U.S.), many difficult to id even under a microscope). We work on the discovery and evaluation of means of capturing those bees for counting and study.

About 20% of any bee project takes place in the field. Whether you net or use traps specimens need to be washed, dried, pinned, labeled, identified, and databased. Our lab has processed over 600,000 specimens and over time learned how to create a fast, consistent workflow with plenty of double checks

Bees are easy to trap and net, but difficult to identify. Several keys and guides exist, but they need to be used in conjunction with review by experts. We have developed online identification tools and can help you learn to id bees and check your identifications.

The USGS Bee Lab at the Eastern Ecological Science Center designs and develops large and small scale surveys for native bees. As part of that program we also develop identification tools and keys for native bee species. One aspect of creating those tools is creating accurate and detailed pictures of native bees and the plants and insects they interact with.

The USGS Bee Lab at the Eastern Ecological Science Center creates accurate and detailed pictures of native bees and the plants and insects they interact with.

Opportunities for volunteering or collaborating.