PolliNation Podcast

298 - Wibee: A Simple App to Measure Pollination Activity in Your Orchard | PolliNation

 Dr. Melathopoulos talks with Dr. Hannah Gaines-Day (University of Wisconsin–Madison) about WiBee (W-I-B-E-E), an app created after conversations with Wisconsin apple growers who wanted to know whether wild bees provide enough pollination or if honeybee rentals are needed. The app has users stand still and record insect visits in a standardized 3x3-foot area for five minutes, tallying easy-to-identify functional "morpho groups" (honeybee, bumblebee, large dark, small dark, green bee, and non-bees) while also logging weather, habitat, and flower abundance. Validation work compared Wibee visitation rates with pollen deposition in apple and cranberry, finding a tight relationship in cranberry but not apple due to pollen source ambiguity; a follow-up will test relationships with fruit set, and pumpkin data are pending. Wibee has been widely adopted by Master Gardeners, has generated about 15,000 publicly viewable surveys, and may be compared with camera-based monitoring in future work. Essential Links: WiBee Official Website: pollinators.wisc.edu/wibee The Gratton Lab: gratton.entomology.wisc.edu Hannah Gaines-Day - Faculty Profile: https://entomology.wisc.edu/directory/hannah-gaines-day/ 00:00 Bee Survey Setup 00:53 Podcast Intro 01:24 Meet Hannah Gaines-Day 02:27 Why Bee ID Matters 03:31 Wisconsin Crops Focus  04:30 Wibee Morpho Groups 06:16 Functional Group Logic 07:53 How To Use Wibee 10:06 Sampling Strategy Tips 10:59 Validation Experiments 13:37 Apple Vs Cranberry Results 16:14 Beyond Wisconsin Use 18:22 Citizen Science Adoption 20:30 Pollination Threshold Goals 23:02 Future Tech Comparisons

297 - Pollen Wasps: A Parallel Path to Pollination | PolliNation

 In this episode of Pollination, host Dr. Andony Melathopoulos talks with Dr. Elizabeth Murray ( Mt. James Entomological Collection, Washington State University) about pollen wasps (Masarinae) and how they represent a rare, parallel shift to bees from carnivory to provisioning young with pollen. The conversation covers pollen wasp origins around 125 million years ago alongside bees, likely in arid Western Gondwana as angiosperms rose, their global but dry-region-biased distribution, low species diversity (

296 - From Isolation to Innovation: Diversified Beekeeping in Northern BC | PolliNation

 Christine McDonald discusses her family-run beekeeping operation based in Terrace, British Columbia. Living in a remote area, Christine emphasizes the importance of in-person gatherings for bee education despite the proliferation of online resources. She explains how her family has turned geographical challenges into strengths, mentioning their diverse range of products, including honey and candles, and their reliance on wild forage like fireweed. Christine highlights the seasonal challenges they face, such as preparing colonies for winter and managing a short beekeeping season. She also elaborates on their approach to raising queens and maintaining their operation's sustainability. Additionally, Christine's Instagram presence has become a pivotal part of connecting with the wider beekeeping community. Rushing River Apiaries: https://www.rushingriverapiaries.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rushingriverapiaries/

295 - Commercial Beekeeping Futures | PolliNation

 This week, we talk with Ryan Lieuallen of Sweet Bee Honey Company in Milton-Freewater, Oregon. Ryan shares insights into the significant challenges and changes within the beekeeping industry, including high winter mortality rates and the potential economic impacts of the Tropi mite infestation. We discuss the emergence of new Varroa treatments and innovative strategies for creating sustainable bee pastures for bees. Explore Ryan's dedication to maintaining a five-generation beekeeping heritage while adapting to future challenges in beekeeping and sustainable agriculture. Link to Sweet Bee Honey Company and how to donate to the Bee Foundation:   https://www.sweetbeehoneyco.com

294 - Ghost Bees (and Why They're a Problem) | PolliNation

 In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Zach Portman discusses a new paper addressing the problem of ghost records in bee data. These records often lack physical specimens, creating challenges for verifying data of bee species. Dr. Portman explains the process and complications behind collecting and verifying bee data, emphasizing the importance of preserving specimens. The conversation also delves into the implications of ghost records for conservation efforts and taxonomy, proposing that funding agencies should require proper storage plans for collected specimens. Links: Portman, Z.M., Bruninga-Socolar, B., Chase, M.H., Harrison, T., Arduser, M., Tepedino, V.J. and Cariveau, D.P., 2025. Big data, changing taxonomy, and ghost records: permanent preservation of collected specimens is essential for insect monitoring. Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 118(4), pp.331-345: https://academic.oup.com/aesa/article/118/4/331/8197915 https://www.zportman.com