Native bees and plant-pollinator interactions along powerline rights-of-way in New York state

It is increasingly evident that early successional habitat maintained along powerline rights-of-way greatly benefits pollinating insect communities, primarily due to the presence of unique shrubs and herbaceous plants that support a range of native bees. In 2023, biodiversity assessments performed along rights-of-way on either side of the Hudson River (New York), managed by companies Con Edison, Inc. (east side) and Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (west side) confirmed the presence of numerous rare, poorly-known bee species, including kleptoparasites Epeoloides pilosulus and Nomada electella, pollen specialists Macropis ciliata, Melitta eickworti and Andrena krigiana, and vulnerable, IUCN-listed bees such as Bombus fervidus. Sites east of the Hudson River (Con Edison) supported at least 95 unique bee and fly species (35 genera) and 223 unique plant-insect interactions, and sites west of the Hudson River (Orange and Rockland) supported at least 87 unique bee and fly species (33 genera) and 240 unique plant-insect interactions. Additionally, this study added first records in New York State for some bees, including the non-native, European wood-boring bee Lithurgus chrysurus. The surveys performed across these lands supports how management for early successional vegetation along rights-of-way can promote habitat for insect pollinators and their host plants. These results allow for a baseline understanding of diversity across privately managed lands and create a foundation to inform research surrounding pollinator habitat restoration, conservation, and vegetation management.