Data for: "Synchronised pan trap sampling in domestic gardens: Sunlight exposure shapes wild bee captures"

The following datasets were used in the study published in Urban Ecosystems (Lachaise et al., 2026). We aimed to investigate the local and landscape drivers of wild bee abundance and species richness in pan traps across domestic gardens. We hypothesised that wild bee abundance and species richness in pan traps would increase with floral resources, garden size, and relevant landscape variables across domestic gardens. We further expected that the relationship with floral resources would differ between spontaneous and cultivated plants, distinguishing native versus exotic species in France. Finally, we hypothesised that variables known to influence pan trap capture rates (sunlight exposure and surrounding flower density) would affect wild bee abundance and species richness in pan traps. All methodological details regarding data collection and analysis are provided in the Materials and Methods section of the associated article. In this study, bees were sampled during three sampling rounds (one in spring 2024 and two in spring 2025) across 59 domestic gardens in the suburban Île-de-France region (France). Before each sampling round, domestic garden owners were provided with a sampling kit, including two sets of three pan traps of three colours (blue, white, and yellow). Whenever possible, pan traps were placed at vegetation height in open areas and positioned away from garden boundaries to limit edge effects. During each sampling round, participants were contacted and asked to deploy the pan traps simultaneously for 24 hours. We then retrieved all captured specimens, which were subsequently pinned and identified to species level by two specialists in French bee taxonomy: D. Genoud and M. Mignot. The bee inventory is provided in the file Data_bee_inventory.xlsx, which comprises two sheets: one containing the data and the other providing the corresponding metadata. In addition, we measured the size of each domestic garden (m²) and surveyed floral resources once per year in spring 2024 and spring 2025, recording all flowering plant species known to be attractive to bees. We then quantified, at the garden scale, genus richness and daily nectar sugar production (g.day⁻¹) of cultivated and spontaneous floral resources, distinguishing between native and exotic species. We also characterised the surrounding landscape and estimated sunlight exposure using several geospatial datasets. Flower density around the pan traps was also recorded. All these environmental variables are provided in the file Data_environmental_context.xlsx, which comprises two sheets: one containing the data and the other providing the corresponding metadata. Lachaise, M., Dutertre, Q., Deparis, M. et al. Synchronised pan trap sampling in domestic gardens: Sunlight exposure shapes wild bee captures. Urban Ecosyst 29, 214 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-026-02049-6