Living Lab Ontario - Studying our native pollinators

Pollination by native insects is important for food security and the economy, but we know little about the habitat needs of many pollinator species. Our objectives are to assess differences in pollinator diversity [restricted to wild bees (Apoidea) and flower flies (Syrphidae)] and abundance among three habitat types (forest, field margin and restored prairie grass) on agricultural land and to understand how biodiversity is affected by habitat type, patch size and connectivity. We used Malaise traps to sample insects on 20 farms across Ontario in 2021, with one trap in each habitat of interest per farm. We sampled at three-day intervals over eight weeks, and also performed sweep netting and botanical surveys at select sites. Preliminary results indicate that some areas have unusually high abundance of flower flies that prey on aphids - which are especially beneficial for pest control. We are currently processing the large number on insects collected. Ultimately, this research should improve food security of essential crops while simultaneously protecting our threatened native pollinators, benefitting farmers, landowners, and NGOs, and informing government policy.