Bee diversity and abundance in three different habitats of eastern Newfoundland

In a study of bee communities in eastern Newfoundland, we found no significant differences in the diversity and abundance of bees among open woodland, pasture, and low density semi-urban habitats. Using cup-traps and Malaise traps, we collected 17 species in 7 genera. Bombus vagans bolsteri (Hymenoptera: Apidae) comprised 54% and Lasioglossum quebecense (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) 25% of all individuals collected. The greatest diversity and abundance was found in the open woodland habitat, although rarefaction analysis did not show the diversity in this habitat to be statistically different from that of the pasture and semi-urban habitats. Bees probably do better in the natural woodland habitats because these areas afford considerably more nesting habitat and provide greater abundance and diversity of nectar resources.