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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fargo, North Dakota » Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center » Insect Genetics and Biochemistry Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #249588
Title: Variable Temperatures Improves Survival of the Alfalfa Leafcutting Bee During Cold Storage

Author
item Yocum, George
item Rinehart, Joe
item Kemp, William - Bill

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/18/2010
Publication Date: 1/18/2010
Citation: Yocum, G.D., Rinehart, J.P., Kemp, W.P. 2010. Variable Temperatures Improves Survival of the Alfalfa Leafcutting Bee During Cold Storage. Meeting Poster. 41st Annual Winter Seed Conference. January 17-19, 2010. Las Vegas, NV.

Interpretive Summary: .

Technical Abstract: Megachile rotundata are commonly held at low-temperatures for overwintering the prepupae or interrupting the spring incubation to synchronize the adult emergence with the peak alfalfa bloom. However, low-temperature exposure can be stressful depending on the temperature, duration of exposure, and the developmental stage exposed. Short high-temperature pulses have been demonstrated to alleviate the harmful effects of prolonged low-temperature exposure. We first determined percent survival of ready-to-emerge bees held for varying duration at 6, 12 or 18ºC. Next the effects of pulse duration (at 20ºC) and frequency upon the survival of M. rotundata ready-to-emerge adults exposed to 6ºC was determined. Finally, we also examined if high temperature pulses would increase the survival of prepupae during storage at 6ºC to determine the feasibility of multi-year storage. This investigation clearly established that both the duration and the frequency of the high-temperature pulse are important factors affecting survival of M. rotundata ready-to-emerge adults exposed to low-temperature storage. Short-high-temperature pulses were also determined to increase the survival of prepupae stored at 6ºC.