Impact of Honey Bees on Native Bees in Kansas Tallgrass Prairie

Recent studies have shown that honey bees may impact wild bees due to competition over floral resources. In the United States, nearly a quarter of wild bee species face the threat of extinction, and managed honey bees (Apis mellifera) are also experiencing a serious decline. As a result, both wild and managed bee populations are becoming increasingly dependent on the limited native habitats. We investigated the compatibility of beekeeping with pollinator conservation in tallgrass prairie. Tallgrass prairie is home to native plant communities that conserve native organisms but can also provide key floral resources for honey bees in spring and summer. To assess the influence of managed honey bee hives, we compared native bee interactions in areas with and without honey bee colonies, examining their effects on native bee abundance, richness, and overall diversity. We found that overall wild bee abundance and diversity were lower in plots with managed hives. This indicates that managed hives may be exerting a negative influence on native pollinators. Further research is needed to examine these findings and to ensure proper management of managed honey bee and native bee populations in native prairie.