Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Fargo, North Dakota » Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center » Insect Genetics and Biochemistry Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #347399
Title: Characterizing thermal performance of an important pollinator, the alfalfa leafcutting bee Megachile rotundata

Author
item Debardlabon, Korie
item BENNETT, MEGHAN - North Dakota State University
item Rinehart, Joe
item Yocum, George
item GREENLEE, KENDRA - North Dakota State University

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/14/2017
Publication Date: 11/5/2017
Citation: Debardlabon, K.M., Bennett, M., Rinehart, J.P., Yocum, G.D., Greenlee, K.J. 2017. Characterizing thermal performance of an important pollinator, the alfalfa leafcutting bee Megachile rotundata [abstract]. Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting. Denver, CO. November 5-8, 2017. Poster D3189.

Interpretive Summary: .

Technical Abstract: The alfalfa leafcutting bee, Megachile rotundata, undergoes metamorphosis in the spring when temperatures can be highly variable. It is unknown how cold tolerance varies across metamorphosis. We found earlier stages were more tolerant to cold exposure than later stages. Furthermore, we found exposure to cold stress during the red-eye pupal stage resulted in some adults exhibiting wing defects. To determine how cold exposure during development affects adult bees, we tested the hypothesis that prior exposure to cold affects tolerance to subsequent stressors. We found that adult critical thermal minimum (CTmin) was approximately 6.08°C ± 0.47, and was unaffected by cold exposure during development. These data suggest spring cold snaps may not affect adult CTmin. Cold exposure during metamorphosis can result in sub-lethal effects in adult bees, but it is unknown whether cold exposure during metamorphosis affects adult cold tolerance. Little is known about how spring cold snaps affect adult thermal tolerance of M. rotundata. Although, spring cold snaps have the potential to affect adult survival, depending on developmental stage they experienced cold exposure. Understanding how cold exposure during metamorphosis affects adult bees is important for predicting how bees will respond to spring cold snaps.