The role of ground bees in New York's ecosystem

As spring progresses, various bee species are starting their pollination activities in New York, particularly ground bees that nest in the soil. These bees play a vital role in pollinating apple orchards during this period, more so than honeybees or bumblebees, which appear later. Bryan Danforth, a Cornell University professor with over 30 years of research on ground-nesting bees, emphasizes the importance of recognizing and preserving these species. “Our goal is to encourage people to observe these bees while gardening, walking, or birdwatching,” he stated.