home is where the nest cell is
Where and how bees nest is one the most important elements of bee natural history because each nesting strategy requires particular resources. If we do not know what resources bees require, we cannot accurately predict where they live or how they will respond to habitat changes. Although much is known of managed species, we know nothing about the nesting requirements of most bee species. This knowledge gap must be addressed in order to understand and manage bees in natural ecosystems.
Please contact me if you have any information regarding Anthophora nesting biology. I have collected >10 new nesting records for the group, and further records will enable subsequent work on nesting trends in this genus (in collaboration with Victor Gonzalez).
I am especially interested in extreme nesting environments. The most recent example of this is my work with Frank Parker on Anthophora pueblo, which nests in sandstone.
This focus began elsewhere, however... with volcanoes. In collaboration with Hilary Erenler, I helped describe her discovery of Anthophora squammulosa nesting on the rim of an active, permanently-degassing volcano in Nicaragua. This is a fascinating system because this population has increased in size over the past three years, despite the presence of extremely high levels of sulfur dioxide and the fact that they nest in ash.
Future projects involving A. squammulosa include:
1. Waiting to see whether or not the bees survive future eruptions at the Santiago Crater.
2. Comparing bees from volcanic nest sites to those from other areas for differences in gene regulation and expression.
Please contact me if you have any information regarding Anthophora nesting biology. I have collected >10 new nesting records for the group, and further records will enable subsequent work on nesting trends in this genus (in collaboration with Victor Gonzalez).
I am especially interested in extreme nesting environments. The most recent example of this is my work with Frank Parker on Anthophora pueblo, which nests in sandstone.
This focus began elsewhere, however... with volcanoes. In collaboration with Hilary Erenler, I helped describe her discovery of Anthophora squammulosa nesting on the rim of an active, permanently-degassing volcano in Nicaragua. This is a fascinating system because this population has increased in size over the past three years, despite the presence of extremely high levels of sulfur dioxide and the fact that they nest in ash.
Future projects involving A. squammulosa include:
1. Waiting to see whether or not the bees survive future eruptions at the Santiago Crater.
2. Comparing bees from volcanic nest sites to those from other areas for differences in gene regulation and expression.