Molly Hansen - 9:00 AM (Tue.)
Nomada is a genus of parasitic bees currently undergoing a taxonomic revision due to advances in DNA sequencing, which is necessary because they are difficult to identify based on morphology alone. They are also at a higher trophic level than their host species which may make them valuable for indicating broader shifts in bee populations. In order to understand the diversity of local Nomada species, we collected specimens from the greater Salem area and did DNA barcoding to determine how many species are present here. We found at least 10 different taxa, one of which is N. lehighensis. (Advisor: Briana Lindh)