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WILDFLOWER ENRICHMENT STRIPS SIGNIFICNTLY INCREASES SCOLIID WASP ABUNDANCE IN THE GEORGIA COASTAL PLAIN

Abstract

Scoliid wasps play an important role in agricultural systems as natural enemies of soil-dwelling pests and as pollinators. They are effective pollinators of many flowering plants, including important commercial crops. The following four-year study evaluated whether wildflower enrichment patches increase wasp abundance in agricultural areas on the Georgia Coastal Plain. Twenty-two native wildflower species were seeded next to experimental plots, and pollinator activity was measured from 2022-2025 using several passive and active collection methods. It was hypothesized that wildflower enrichment patches would significantly increase Scoliid wasp abundance in the target agricultural area. T-tests were used to statistically test whether there were a significantly greater number of Scoliids in the experimental plots with wildflower enrichments compared to control plots without the wildflower enrichment. Each year of the study, t-tests (p- value = 0.001) indicated Scoliid wasp abundance was significantly different between experimental plots and control plots. The difference what large. Scoliid wasp abundance increased more than nine-fold after wildflower installation. ANOVA statistical tests were used to compare the success of sampling methods (malaise traps, vane traps, bowl traps, sweep netting) and the success of different color traps (white, yellow, and blue). Sweep netting was the most successful sampling method (p=0.0001). Blue bowl traps and yellow bowl traps were also successful methods (p < 0.05). Four wildflower species, Spotted Beebalm, Indian Blanket, Lanceleaf Tickseed, and Red Clover were observed to have the highest volume of wasp interactions. Bees were also observed and collected in higher volumes post wildflower installation, which suggests that Scoliid wasps did not compete with local bees, but rather supplemented them in pollination services. In addition, Scoliid wasps were observed on many occasions interacting with blueberry flowers at the blueberry farm. These findings support wildflower enrichments as a cost-effective strategy to improve native pollinator abundance to aid commercial agriculture.

Acknowledgements

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) grants # OS22 -150 and OS 24 -172.

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