New Bee Lab data on GBIF!

[Maffei, Clare J]

Hi everyone,

We’re excited to share that the USGS Bee Lab at the Eastern Ecological Science Center (previously USGS Bee Inventory & Monitoring Lab) has posted an updated occurrence dataset on GBIF!

The newest citation reflects the current stewards of the data.

Droege S, Maffei C, Shumar S, Lent S (2026). Insect Species Occurrence Data from Multiple Projects Worldwide with Focus on Bees and Wasps in North America. Version 1.28. United States Geological Survey. Sampling event dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/6autvb

 

You can find expanded explanations of how to use the data, version histories, and metadata files in the IPT (integrated publishing toolkit) for the dataset. This link can be found under “Alternative identifiers” on the main project page. https://ipt.gbif.us/resource?r=usgs-pwrc-biml

 

While these data were collected using many different techniques, time periods, and regions they all follow the Wild Bee Data Standard (WBDS) core fields which uses controlled language adapted from Darwin Core (DwC). The collection methods are unstandardized; but the data presentation is.

We highly recommend using the “Darwin Core Archive” package for this dataset. This can be downloaded from the GBIF annotated archive. The “Simple” download includes only specimen identification, date, and location. To understand the full context of those observations—including collection methods and associated measurements—download the “Darwin Core Archive” files.

Files in the archive are linked by the "eventID" field. Each eventID represents a single collection event using one method. For example, a transect of bowl traps and a hand netting event on the same day and location will have separate eventIDs. All files include the date and location of the collection.

Occurrence file: Provides the complete representation of identifications. This is the best place to explore how uncertain identifications and taxonomic changes affect the dataset.

• “scientificName” and “taxonRank” are treated conservatively; any specimen with an uncertain species-level identification is rolled up to genus for these fields
• “verbatimIdentification” shows the estimated identification or, in the case of taxonomic splits, the species group. These are often qualified in some way using terms such as “?”, “aff”, “group”, “near”, etc.
• “identificationRemarks” provides notes on any changes made.
• “basisOfRecord” uses controlled language from DwC to describe the nature of the record.

Event file: Contains information on the collection method and any associated data recorded by the project (such as weather or flora).

• “samplingEffort” is the only exception to WBDS. This field cannot be interpreted for the entire dataset because these data are aggregated from multiple sources. Researchers may calculate values for specific collection events.

Extended Measurement or Fact file: Adds details related to the controlled language “samplingProtocol” field from the “Event” file, such as collection medium (e.g.: type of fluid used in traps).

Important Notes: Taxonomic uncertainty and changes over time may affect interpretation. Review the Occurrence file for details. These data are aggregated from multiple projects, so some fields may vary in completeness. Absence of bee species from this dataset does not indicate absence of the species from the collecting location. Number of times a species is recorded in this dataset does not represent actual species abundance or common-ness but does offer an indication of fluctuations in communities.

Thanks everyone!

Clare Maffei 

Biologist

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Natural Resource Program Center, Inventory & Monitoring Branch

National Protocol Framework for the Inventory and Monitoring of Bees

ORCID: 0009-0008-1621-0498