Oregon State University researchers develop online identification tools for Pacific Northwest native bees; tools include three taxonomic keys featuring high-resolution images and decision trees for scientists and enthusiasts

Bees and other animal pollinators enhance the reproduction of nearly 90% of the Earth’s wild flowering plants, in addition to many food crops, and are an essential component of biodiversity. However, identifying native bees, which are crucial for these processes, has been a significant challenge due to their nuanced differences.

To address this, Jim Rivers of the Oregon State University College of Forestry, along with Lincoln Best of the OSU College of Agricultural Sciences and the Oregon State University Extension Service, Josh Dunlap of the Oregon Department of Agriculture, August Jackson of Mount Pisgah Arboretum in Eugene, and Paul Williams of the Natural History Museum in London, developed three separate ID keys for bee taxonomic categories and male and female bumblebee species in the Pacific Northwest.

These keys, funded by the College of Forestry’s Fish and Wildlife Habitat in Managed Forests program, took nearly three years to assemble and are aimed at scientists, land managers, and bee enthusiasts. The keys are downloadable, printable and most effectively used online, featuring high-resolution images and a decision tree to guide users through the identification process.

The keys, which are publicly available and easy to use, help alleviate the bottleneck in bee research by enabling more timely identification of bee species. This advancement supports various research projects and enhances the ability of community scientists, including Oregon Bee School participants and OSU Extension Master Melittologists, to contribute to bee identification efforts.

The new online identification tools for native bees in the Pacific Northwest empower scientists, land managers, and enthusiasts to accurately identify bees, enhancing research and conservation efforts. These tools support biodiversity and the health of ecosystems by facilitating timely and precise bee identification, crucial for the reproduction of flowering plants and food crops.