Citizen scientists have the potential to play a crucial role in the study of rapidly changing lady beetle (Coccinellidae) populations. We used data derived from three coccinellid‐focused citizen‐science programs to examine the costs and benefits of data collection from direct citizen‐science (data used without verification) and verified citizen‐science (observations verified by trained experts) programs. Data collated through direct citizen science overestimated species richness and diversity values in comparison to verified data, thereby influencing interpretation. The use of citizen scientists to collect data also influenced research costs; our analysis shows that verified citizen science was more cost effective than traditional science (in terms of data gathered per dollar). The ability to collect a greater number of samples through direct citizen science may compensate for reduced accuracy, depending on the type of data collected and the type(s) and extent of errors committed by volunteers.

The expansion of urban areas is occurring globally, but not all city neighborhoods are gaining population. Because of economic decline and the recent

Aim  Coccinellid beetles are important predators that contribute to pest suppression in agricultural landscapes. Since the introduction of the exotic coccinellids Coccinella septempunctata L. and Harmonia axyridis Pallas into the USA, several studies have reported a decline of native Coccinellidae in agroecosystems. We aimed to investigate the influence of landscape composition on native and exotic coccinellid abundance within soybean fields.Location  Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.Methods  As part of a 2‐year study (2005–06) on the biological control of the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura, we examined coccinellid communities in 33 soybean fields using yellow sticky card traps. Landscape heterogeneity and composition were measured at multiple spatial scales ranging 1–3.5 km from focal soybean fields where coccinellid sampling took place.Results  Exotic species made up 90% of the total coccinellid community in Michigan soybean fields followed by Wisconsin (84%), Minnesota (66%) and Iowa (57%). Harmonia axyridis was the dominant exotic coccinellid in all states comprising 45–62% of the total coccinellid community, followed by C. septempunctata (13–30%). Two additional exotic species, Hippodamia variegata (Goeze) and Propylea quatuordecimpunctata (L.) were also found in the region. Overall, the most abundant native coccinellid was Hippodamia convergens Guerin‐Meneville; however, its abundance varied across the region, comprising 0% (Michigan) to 28% (Iowa) of the total coccinellid community. Landscape structure significantly influenced the composition of coccinellid communities in soybean agroecosystems. We found that native coccinellids were most abundant in low‐diversity landscapes with an abundance of grassland habitat while exotic coccinellids were associated with the abundance of forested habitats.Main conclusion  We propose that grassland dominated landscapes with low structural diversity and low amounts of forested habitat may be resistant to exotic coccinellid build‐up, particularly H. axyridis and therefore represent landscape‐scale refuges for native coccinellid biodiversity.

The documentation of many rare or declining bee species in urban green spaces has led to a recent focus on cities as conservation targets. However, for pollinator conservation to succeed long term, we argue that the opinions and values of local community members must be prioritized more explicitly. In our experience, conservation is difficult to achieve when the aesthetic and safety concerns of urban residents are not reconciled with the goals and habitat designs of conservation practitioners. Similarly, from a bee ecology perspective, many questions concerning optimal design and management practices for pollinator habitats in cities remain unresolved. It is our hope that frank discussion of the challenges associated with urban pollinator conservation in public green spaces will inspire thoughtful consideration of how best to implement new initiatives in cities.