New Bee Collection at MSU Preserves Vital Data for Future Research

This January, a new collection consisting of nearly 8,000 bees has been contributed to The A.J. Cook Arthropod Research Collection (ARC) by Dr. Rufus Isaacs and his lab.

The A.J. Cook ARC, was founded by Professor Albert J. Cook in 1867, and it now contains about 1.5 million preserved arthropod specimens collected from all over the world, representing approximately 35,000 different species. Data about the species in the collection, such as their identification, origins, and dates of collection, helps researchers understand the distribution and range of various species and monitor endangered species.

Isaacs’ lab has spent the last 20 years conducting research to support pest management in Michigan berry crops, but when Julianna Wilson first joined the lab, bees weren’t the research focus . Their shift toward pollinator research began as part of a USDA-funded project examining the impact of pest management on pollinators, specifically in blueberry crops. This research led to the collection of thousands of bee specimens, providing a much-needed reference for Michigan’s diverse bee populations—something that didn’t really exist before.

“What was amazing to me was seeing how many wild bee species we had in Michigan—around 500 species in Michigan—and honey bees are just one of these,” said Wilson, currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Entomology .

Over the course of multiple research studies, thousands of bee specimens have been collected, providing a snapshot of the bee community in farms, parks, natural areas, and urban habitats across southern Michigan, and the Isaacs Laboratory has grown to be international leaders in the study of pollinator biology, ecology, and management.

These specimens will be permanently housed and carefully maintained by the A.J. Cook ARC staff, ensuring that the data remains accessible for future research on bee decline, biodiversity, and climate change. “This will serve as a reference point,” Wilson explained. It will allow researchers conducting large-scale analyses to compile datasets from multiple sources and identify global patterns on things like pollination efficiency, bee decline, biodiversity and climate change.

“This is one of many ways that the A.J. Cook ARC supports research, education, and outreach within MSU Entomology and beyond,” noted Hannah Burrack, Entomology Department chairperson. “Often, these important collected specimens can remain stuck in faculty laboratories, but through the collection, we can make sure they are available to anyone interested in using them for future research.”

These specimens will provide a permanent collection that will be well looked after by the AJ Cook staff, where the data will be made accessible to be used for future studies on bee decline, biodiversity, and climate change. “The full potential use of these invaluable specimens is unknown given that technology to generate data is always advancing. But I do know that these specimens will provide data that will enlighten our knowledge of the natural word,” proclaimed Anthony Cognato, Professor and Director of the ARC.

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