Honors Theses

Advisor

Patrick Kelly Williams, Ph.D.

Department

Biology

Publication Date

4-1-2019

Document Type

Honors Thesis

Abstract

The order of Hymenoptera is classified as bees, wasps, and ants and are widely recognized as pollinators. Some species of bees (family Apoidea) and hoverflies tend to focus on certain types of flowers and are attracted to patterns and colors. Native plants and crops that are specifically bee-friendly can encourage bees and other pollinators that are decreasing in biodiversity and population to come back. Urban gardens work to provide vegetables and organic produce to its communities and subsequently are also growing pollinator-friendly food. This study focuses on whether the biodiversity of Hymenoptera, hoverflies, and other significant pollinators are affected by these types of land use and resource availability. Urban gardens are an interesting way to gauge how human influence can possibly change how pollination occurs with either organic or artificial urging. The results of this thesis could lead to evolving the diversity of urban gardens, to include pollinator-friendly crops and plants, and promoting the implementation of urban gardens in cities in order to increase biodiversity of pollinators in those settings. This will lead to both healthier human and plant communities. Through examining three different communities of plants, visual surveys focused on Hymenoptera and Diptera observed differences in the species distribution.

Permission Statement

This item is protected by copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code) and may only be used for noncommercial, educational, and scholarly purposes

Keywords

Undergraduate research

Disciplines

Biology

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