Bee Specimen Processing in the UVM Invertebrate Collection
Conference Year
2024
Abstract
Bees are responsible for pollinating over 80% of all flowering plants and maintaining 85% of crop yields. So being able to monitor bee species changes over time is crucial in preserving their health and the planet’s health. For this project, I am processing a donation of bee specimens collected for the Vermont Wild Bee Survey to be added to the invertebrate collection. This includes thousands of specimens from 65 different species. Each new addition must be labeled, accessioned, and integrated before being included in the collection. Processing these bees will make the information they hold more accessible for future research.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Sara Helms Cahan
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Arts and Sciences
Program/Major
Biology
Primary Research Category
Life Sciences
Bee Specimen Processing in the UVM Invertebrate Collection
Bees are responsible for pollinating over 80% of all flowering plants and maintaining 85% of crop yields. So being able to monitor bee species changes over time is crucial in preserving their health and the planet’s health. For this project, I am processing a donation of bee specimens collected for the Vermont Wild Bee Survey to be added to the invertebrate collection. This includes thousands of specimens from 65 different species. Each new addition must be labeled, accessioned, and integrated before being included in the collection. Processing these bees will make the information they hold more accessible for future research.