Observing bees and wasps: Why surveys and monitoring programs are critical and how they can improve our understanding of these beneficial hymenopterans

Flower-visiting bees and wasps (Hymenoptera: Apoidea, Pompiloidea, Scolioidea, Tiphioidea, Vespoidea) provide essential services in agricultural urban systems, ecological functions natural ecosystems. Understanding the population trends, resource requirements preferences, challenges, how to manage these species better requires increased surveys standardized monitoring efforts for both groups. A program performed at various scales that provides data is a prerequisite managing either or conservation crop pollination purposes. Methods survey monitor can be accomplished by variety of means, depending on researchers’ aims goals. Herein, we discuss importance 1) evaluating populations threatened endangered bee wasp species, 2) detecting identifying pollinators crops, 3) use as biological control agents, 4) surveying ranges non-native wasps, 5) utilizing indicators. We also strategies selection tools methodologies best suited specific goals situations beneficial Hymenoptera research. Our hope this review will lead additional bee/wasp programs assist researchers with selecting purpose understanding insects.