PSU Pollinators

05/23/2024

Bug of the Month is an informational document created by Penn State entomology graduate students. Each month we highlight a bug we want you to know about 🐝🐞🐛
The May Bug of the Month is Tetraopes tetraophthalmus, the red milkweed beetle:https://pollinators.psu.edu/assets/uploads/documents/Bug-of-the-Month-Tetraopes-tetraophthalmus.pdf

05/03/2024

Have you heard of ? There’s actually a better way to support pollinators this spring if you live in North America. Introducing ! 🌸🐝

🌱 Lawns are habitats for non-native flowering weeds.

👎 Non-native plants offer poor support for pollinator communities.

❌ Plus, lawn weeds create community division.

🌳 In North America, May is all about flowering trees and shrubs!

🌸 Support pollinator and human communities by making flower gardens. The more native plants, the better.

Share our graphics to spread the word and show us the flowers and pollinators you see this month with our hashtag !

05/03/2024

Congrats to our students as they embark on research and education projects aimed at improving pollinator health 🐝

The Penn State Center for Pollinator Research manages opportunities for pollinator health research through two annual training award opportunities. The Apes Val

05/03/2024

is a better way to help pollinators this spring! Learn more ⬇️

https://pollinators.psu.edu/news/plantmayflowers
📷: Andy Stephenson

04/30/2024

04/08/2024

An evolving set of GIS-based tools for beekeepers, growers and land managers to evaluate the habitat quality of their landscapes for bees

03/08/2024

Did you know that there are 18 bumble bee species in Pennsylvania? Next time you see one on a flower, take a closer look! 👀 Each species has unique bands and coloration.

The March 2024 Bug of the Month is Bombus griseocollis, the brown-belted bumble bee. Mostly a generalist forager, the brown-belted bumble bee also specializes on milkweed flowers (Asclepias spp.) which is unique among bumble bees. In contrast to cavity nesting bumble bees, this species nests on the surface of the ground, typically in tall grass.

Read more:https://pollinators.psu.edu/assets/uploads/documents/Bug-of-the-Month-2.pdf
📷: Lauren Kovanko

02/28/2024

We believe that anyone can help pollinators! 🌸

The Center for Pollinator Research and the Penn State Master Gardeners of Centre County stopped by Radio Park Elementary School last week with all the supplies needed to help fourth grade students sow milkweed seeds. With their care, the school garden will is a safe haven for monarch butterflies, bees, and more!

02/19/2024

Did you know that honey can vary in color, taste, and medicinal properties based on the flowers honeybees forage on? 🌸 🍯 Penn State's Honey and Pollen Diagnostic Lab (PSU Pollinators) uses DNA metabarcoding to identify these floral sources at the genus level from honey and pollen samples.

🐝🌿 Read Penn State's article and uncover the secrets behind specialty honey and how to enhance your pollinator gardens: psu.edu/news/agricultural-sciences/story/penn-state-honey-and-pollen-diagnostic-lab-offers-pollen-identification

02/14/2024

Happy Valentine’s Day! 💕

💗 Did you know that your heart-shaped box of chocolates was pollinated by flies? (The cacao, not the box itself) 🍫
💗 Butterflies find their Valentine with their sense of smell. They release pheromones, or chemicals that say ‘how you doin’?’ 👃
💗 Clearwing moths are only available to go on a date during the day, as they are diurnal ☀️

02/13/2024

Pollinator Symmetry is one of many STEM activities that the Center for Pollinator Research has created with the Penn State Center for Science and the Schools. If you are a family living in the Centre County region, check out this program! (registration required) 🐝🌷

No matter where you live, you can access our entire K-5 curriculum online: https://www.csats.psu.edu/ag-seedlings

Do you love flowers and plants? Learn about the key role of bilateral symmetry and how pollinators are attracted to certain colors and the symmetrical appearance of plants.

🐝 Sunday, February 18, 2:30pm-3:15pm
🐝 Recommended for ages 6-9
🐝 Registration required at go.schlow.org/PollinatorSymmetry
🐝 Limit: 30
🐝 Presented in collaboration with Penn State Center for Science and the Schools