Wild bees are a diverse and ecologically important insect group. And as one of the most important groups of pollinators, they provide essential ecological and agricultural services.
Documented declines of a few bee species have caused concern about a possible collapse of all bee populations. But the last checklist of bee species found in Vermont was published more than 60 years ago, and included only 98 species of bees, with little to no information on their abundance or geographic distribution. The Vermont Wild Bee Survey represents the first step in assessing bee populations across the state, helping us deepen our understanding of the conservation status, threats, and the natural history of wild bees in our state.
