A5029874267- Plant and animal studies
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology and Behavior
- Plant and Biological Electrophysiology Studies
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
University of Massachusetts Amherst
2019-2024
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
2024
National Zoological Park
2024
North Carolina State University
2018-2019
Abstract Plants have unique chemical and physical traits that can reduce infections in animals ranging from primates to caterpillars. Sunflowers ( Helianthus annuus ; Asteraceae) are one striking example, with pollen suppresses by the trypanosomatid gut pathogen Crithidia bombi common eastern bumble bee Bombus impatiens ). However, mechanism underlying this effect has remained elusive, we do not know whether pollens other Asteraceae species similar effects. We evaluated mechanisms mediating...
1. Social insect castes and sexes differ in many ways, including morphology, behavior, sometimes ploidy level. Recent studies have found that consuming sunflower pollen reduces the gut pathogen Crithidia bombi workers of common eastern bumble bee ( Bombus impatiens ). Here, this work is extended to reproductive individuals represent colony fitness – males queens assess if medicinal effects vary with caste sex. 2. This study examined effect compared a diverse wildflower mix on infection...
Because carnivorous plants rely on arthropods as pollinators and prey, they risk consuming would-be mutualists. We examined this potential conflict in the Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula), whose were previously unknown. Diverse from two classes nine orders visited flowers; 56% of visitors carried D. muscipula pollen, often mixed with pollen coflowering species. Within diverse, generalized community, certain bee beetle species appear to be most important pollinators, basis their abundance,...
Certain diets can benefit bee health by reducing pathogens, but the mechanism(s) driving these medicinal effects are largely unexplored. Recent research found that sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ) pollen reduces gut pathogen Crithidia bombi in common eastern bumblebee Bombus impatiens ). Here, we tested of and infection on two immune metrics to determine whether diet drives changes host immunity explain this effect. Bees were infected with C. or not given either wildflower pollen....
Commercial bumblebees have become popular models to understand stressors and solutions for pollinator health, but few studies test whether results translate other pollinators. Consuming sunflower pollen dramatically reduces infection by the gut parasite Crithidia bombi in commercially reared Bombus impatiens . We assessed effect of on wild B. , griseocollis, bimaculatus vagans also asked how diet (50% versus wildflower pollen) (yes/no) affected performance microcolonies. Compared controls,...
Understanding how organisms respond to urban-associated environmental changes is key protecting vulnerable species. Bees, in particular, have gained interest due their economic and ecological roles. We used a geometric morphometric approach describe wing shape size the solitary bee Andrena barbara (Barbara's Miner) collected across an urban landscape. found that, although morphology suggests limited dispersal ability its short narrow frame, landscape did not significantly explain or vary....
Bumble bees are globally important pollinators, contributing hundreds of millions dollars annually in crop pollination services. Several species decline, making it paramount to understand how pathogens and nutrition shape bee health. Previous work has shown that consuming sunflower pollen (Helianthus annuus) dramatically reduces infection by the trypanosomatid gut pathogen, Crithidia bombi, common eastern bumble (Bombus impatiens). Sunflower may therefore be useful as a dietary supplement...