A5035304632- Plant and animal studies
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- Weed Control and Herbicide Applications
- Plant Physiology and Cultivation Studies
- Bee Products Chemical Analysis
- Plant Reproductive Biology
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Fossil Insects in Amber
- Botany, Ecology, and Taxonomy Studies
- Insect behavior and control techniques
- Space exploration and regulation
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Entomopathogenic Microorganisms in Pest Control
Agricultural Research Service
2011-2023
United States Department of Agriculture
2013-2023
Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory
2023
University College Dublin
2023
Utah State University
2008-2018
Singer (United States)
2012-2014
University of Wisconsin–Madison
2013
US Forest Service
2000-2002
Most of the world's crops depend on pollinators, so declines in both managed and wild bees raise concerns about food security. However, degree to which insect pollination is actually limiting current crop production poorly understood, as role species (as opposed honeybees) pollinating crops, particularly intensive areas. We established a nationwide study assess extent pollinator limitation seven at 131 locations situated across major crop-producing areas USA. found that five out showed...
Current pesticide risk assessment for bees relies on a single (social) species, the western honey bee, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae). However, most of >20,000 bee species worldwide are solitary. Differences in life history traits between solitary (SB) and (HB) likely to determine differences routes levels exposure. The objectives this review to: 1) compare SB HB relevant assessment; 2) summarize current knowledge about exposure HB; 3) identify gaps research needs; 4) evaluate...
There is a growing body of empirical evidence showing that wild and managed bees are negatively impacted by various pesticides applied in agroecosystems around the world. The lethal sublethal effects two widely used fungicides one adjuvant were assessed cage studies California on blue orchard bees, Osmia lignaria, Utah alfalfa leafcutting Megachile rotundata. tested Rovral 4F (iprodione) Pristine (mixture pyraclostrobin + boscalid), was N-90, non-ionic wetting agent (90% polyethoxylated...
Declines of pollinator health and their populations continue to be commercial ecological concerns. Agricultural practices, such as the use agrochemicals, are among factors attributed honey bee (Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae)) population losses also known have negative effects on managed non-Apis pollinators. Although pesticide registration routinely requires evaluation impacts bees, studies this social species may not reveal important exposure routes where managed, solitary bees...
Current pesticide risk assessment practices use the honey bee, Apis mellifera L., as a surrogate to characterize likelihood of chemical exposure candidate for all bee species. Bees make up diverse insect group that provides critical pollination services both managed and wild ecosystems. Accordingly, they display diversity behaviors vary greatly in their lifestyles phenologies, such timing emergence, degree sociality, foraging nesting behaviors. Some these factors may lead disparate or...
In many countries, the western honey bee is used as surrogate in pesticide risk assessments for bees. However, uncertainty remains estimation of to non-Apis bees because their potential routes exposure pesticides, life histories, and ecologies differ from those We applied vulnerability concept assessment 10 species including bee, 2 bumble species, 7 solitary with different nesting strategies. Trait-based considers evaluation a at level both organism (exposure effect) population (recovery),...
Native managed bees can improve crop pollination, but a general framework for evaluating the associated economic costs and benefits has not been developed. We conducted cost-benefit analysis to assess how managing blue orchard (Osmia lignaria Say [Hymenoptera: Megachildae]) alongside honey (Apis mellifera Linnaeus Apidae]) affect profits almond growers in California. Specifically, we studied adjusting three strategies influence profits: (1) number of released O. bees, (2) density artificial...
Phenotypic plasticity involves adaptive responses to predictable environmental fluctuations and may promote evolutionary change. We studied the regulation of phenotypic in an important agricultural pollinator, solitary alfalfa leafcutting bee (Megachile rotundata F.). Specifically, we investigated how larval nutrition affects M. diapause adult female reproductive behavior. Field surveys laboratory manipulations aspects diet demonstrated nutritional plasticity. Manipulation quality through...
Abstract Seventy five percent of the world's food crops benefit from insect pollination. Hence, there has been increased interest in how global change drivers impact this critical ecosystem service. Because standardized data on crop pollination are rarely available, we limited our capacity to understand variation benefits yield, as well anticipate changes service, develop predictions, and inform management actions. Here, present CropPol, a dynamic, open, database It contains measurements...
The alfalfa leafcutting bee, Megachile rotundata (Fabricius), is used to pollinate alfalfa, Medicago sativa L., for seed production in the United States and Canada. It difficult reliably sustain commercial M. populations because of problems with disease, parasites, predators, unexplained mortality. One possible explanation early immature mortality that, relative floral availability, superfluous numbers bees are released fields where resources quickly become limited. Our objective was...
Abstract The potential of commercially managed, native blue orchard bees, O smia lignaria , to augment honey bees in pollination depends on various factors, particularly how enhance . retention while optimising even throughout orchards by varying their stocking density and nesting site distribution. In 2011, we investigated artificial nest box the number cavities within boxes influenced reproduction a 61 ha almond pollinated mixture Apis mellifera southern C entral V alley alifornia. We...
1. Diapause is a dynamic process of low metabolic activity that allows insects to survive periods harsh conditions. Notwithstanding the lowered metabolism, and because diapausing have no access food, diapause has an energetic cost may affect post‐diapause performance. 2. Previous studies on solitary bee Osmia lignaria shown prolonged pre‐wintering (the time during which individuals already in remain at warm temperatures) are associated with elevated lipid consumption, fat body depletion,...
Pollination services provided by managed bees are essential for California almond (Prunus dulcis Mill.; Rosales: Rosaceae) production. Currently, pollination needs met rented or owned Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae; honey bee) colonies. Excessive demand on a challenged A. industry to provide strong colonies in early spring has caused sharp increases rental prices over the past decade, inviting consideration of alternative pollinators addition to, place of, mellifera. Osmia lignaria...
Alfalfa leafcutting bees, Megachile rotundata F. (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), are the most common pollinators of alfalfa in Pacific Northwest. Reports from users M. Idaho, Utah and Colorado have indicated exceptionally poor bee return fields treated with novaluron to control Lygus spp. Our goal was evaluate toxicity immature using two different possible mechanisms exposure. One assess mortality via treating nectar-pollen provisions adults novaluron. Immature all provision dosing treatments...
The engineering of flowering agricultural field borders has emerged as a research and policy priority to mitigate threats pollinators. Studies have, however, rarely addressed the potential that might compete with neighboring crops for pollinator visits if they both are in bloom at same time, despite this being concern expressed by growers. We evaluated how wildflower plantings added orchard large (512 ha) commercial almond affected honey bee wild visitation crop. study was conducted over two...
During the nesting season, adult females of solitary bee Megachile rotundata (F.) face considerable physical and energy demands that could include increasing wear tear on their bodies decreasing lipid reserves. Consequently, reproductive performance may be affected not only by extrinsic factors (e.g., weather floral resource availability), but intrinsic changes in own bodies. Because potential fitness effects seasonal body condition, our objectives were to determine how wing wear, reserves,...
Abstract Concerns over the availability of honeybees ( Apis mellifera L.) to meet pollination demands have elicited interest in alternative pollinators mitigate pressures on commercial beekeeping industry. The blue orchard bee, Osmia lignaria (Say), is a commercially available native bee that can be employed as copollinator with, or pollinator to, orchards. To date, their successful implementation agriculture has been limited by poor recovery progeny for use during next spring. This lack...
Intensively managed, commercial orchards offer resources for managed solitary bees within agricultural landscapes and provide a means to study bee dispersal patterns, spatial movement, nest establishment, reproduction. In 2012, we studied the impact of 1) color boxes covaried with four box density treatments 2) number release sites two on reproductive success Osmia lignaria Say in California almond orchard pollinated by mixture O. Apis mellifera L. Nest influenced nests, total cells, cells...
Abstract. The use of olfactory cues for nest recognition by the solitary bee Osmia lignaria is studied in a greenhouse environment. Glass tubes are provided as nesting cavities to allow in‐nest behaviour bees be observed. In addition, each glass tube cut into three sections experimental manipulation and subsequent chemical analysis. Nesting females drag their abdomen along before exiting, spiral inside tube, sometimes deposit fluid droplets from tip abdomen. For manipulation, outer section,...