SD36: The bee fauna of the Sam Houston State University Piney Woods Environmental Research Laboratory (Walker County, Texas): A multi-year survey using multiple methods

Using a variety of sampling techniques (Blue Vane Traps, Pan Traps, Malaise, and Sweep Netting), the bee fauna of the 250-acre Piney Woods Environmental Research Laboratory (PERL) of Sam Houston State University in Walker County, Texas was sampled from Sept 2014-May 2024. 3189 specimens were collected representing 5 families, 42 genera, and 147 species of bees (146 native species plus Apis mellifera). Each sampling technique yielded a different suite of species, with Andrenidae and Colletidae collected mostly using sweep netting, Halictidae mostly in Pan Traps, and Apidae and Megachilidae across all techniques. Malaise traps were relatively inefficient in capturing native bees and only yielded one unique species. New state records include Andrena asteroides and Andrena violae and notable collections of rarely collected species in Texas include Andrena erigeniae, Andrena fenningeri, Andrena forbesii, Andrena nothoscordi, Lasioglossum fuscipenne, Osmia collinsiae, Osmia illinoensis, and Neolarra cockerelli. While several species typical of the prairie regions of Texas were found at this site, such as Diadasia rinconis, Melissodes intorta, Melitoma marginella, and Anthophorula texana, the bee fauna shows higher similarity to bee faunas from the southeastern United States.