The Flight and Foraging Behavior of the Alkali Bee (Nomia Melanderi (CKLL.)) and the Alfalfa Leaf Cutter Bee (Megachile Roundata (F.)) PDF Download

Author: James Scott Packer
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Bees
Languages : en
Pages : 238

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Author: James Scott Packer
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 238

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Author: Charles Edgar Osgood
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Bees
Languages : en
Pages : 208

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The study provides the details of the ethology of Megachile rotundata (Fabricius), and presents preliminary observations on its foraging and nesting behavior. Development from prepupae to adults proceeds most rapidly at 32 degrees C., and is retarded when held at lower and higher temperatures. Male behavior is distinct from that of the female. Mating, including the copulation process arid sleeping, are described. Requirements necessary for nesting are presented. These included: types of nesting places, natural and artificial; size range of tunnels; and the effects of competition on nesting. Females used leaf sections from a variety of plant species in construction of their cells. Description included desirable leaf characteristics, cutting procedures used to remove leaf sections from plants and return of bees to given leaf sources. The construction of the cell cup is detailed as to leaf placement, number of leaves used, cell dimensions, and arrangement of cells under various nesting conditions. After formation of the cell cup it is provisioned with pollen and nectar. Procedures of pollen collection, removal of pollen from the scopa, and the use of nectar for moistening the pollen mass were included as were descriptions of oviposition and cell capping. Upon completion of a cell series, the entrance to the tunnel was sealed, using leaf cuttings. All procedures of cell construction were influenced by the age of the bee and behavioral changes noted toward the end of the flight season. It was found that orientation to the nesting site is largely through visual association with gross characteristics of the area and that markers aided in orientation. Preliminary observations on color discrimination indicated that bees could distinguish between colors. Foraging studies were conducted in the presence and absence of alfalfa and included notes on flower preference and pollen collecting. Flight range studies indicated that bees forage plants closest to their nesting site and increase their range as close bloom is no longer available. Attempts made to relocate bees in new areas met with only limited success. Morning and evening behavior of bees were characterized and climatic conditions responsible for commencement and cessation of flight outlined.

Author: Norman Richard Bradner
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Alfalfa
Languages : en
Pages : 148

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The objectives of this study were (a) to measure the amount of cross-pollination caused by three bee species at 10, 20 and 40 rods distance from a foreign pollen source, (b) to measure the effects of bee species, planting pattern and season on broad sense heritability estimates for seed yield in alfalfa, (c) to determine the incidence of selfing caused by the bees, (d) to investigate the usefulness of bees as a breeding tool in alfalfa and (e) to determine which of the three planting patterns used in this investigation is the best in effecting the maximum amount of cross-pollination. Three bee species, the honey bee, Apis mellifera L.; the leaf-cutter bee, Megachile rotundata F. and the alkali bee, Nomia melanderi Ckll. were chosen for this investigation because of their importance as pollinators in alfalfa. Studies under conditions of good isolation for bee species and competitive bloom were necessary to obtain reliable results. In the center of a three mile square isolated area, seven plots of recessive white-flowered clonally established plants were planted 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, 240 and 320 rods north of a colored-flowered population, and seven plots were planted at the same distance east of the colored-flowered population. Seven planting patterns were used in the east series. Three of these were utilized by the bees described. The number of florets tripped, pods developed and seeds developed in each pod were recorded for each raceme visited by pollen collecting bees. Seed samples from the white-flowered clones were grown in a greenhouse to ascertain whether the seed resulted from cross- or self-pollination. A record of flower color in 1963 demonstrated that at 10, 20 and 40 rods from a contaminant source honey bees caused 15.7, 11.2 and 5.8 percent cross-pollination; leaf-cutter bees caused 13.1, 4.8 and 8.1 percent cross-pollination while endemic pollinators caused 42.9, 30.9 and 10.0 percent cross-pollination in 1962. An important fact in this regard was that endemic pollinators caused 6.52 percent cross-pollination at a distance of a mile. Bee species, planting pattern and season caused large fluctuations in broad sense heritability estimates for seed yield in alfalfa. The ratio environmental variance to phenotypic variance gave a good indication which environmental factor caused the most fluctuation in the estimate. When endemic pollinators were used 94.7, 88.3, 36.3 and 23.1 percent selfed seeds were recorded as occurring in pods with one, two, three and four or more seeds per pod. One seven seeded pod was recorded as possessing three selfed seeds. Data from leaf-cutter bees showed that all of the pod types had over 67 percent selfed seeds. Distance from the contaminant source affected the percentage selfed seeds. At 40 rods only the four or more seeded pods contained any crossed seeds (20 percent) Leaf-cutter bees trip 27-50 percent more florets per raceme and cause less cross-pollination at 10, 20 and 40 rods than honey bees. Honey bees cause approximately the same amount of cross-pollination at 10 and 20 rods while the value obtained at 20 rods for the leaf-cutter bee was close to one-third of the value at 10 rods. Leaf-cutter bees also showed less preference between colored- and white-flowered alfalfa flowers. Of several planting patterns considered, maximum cross-pollination was obtained in a plot planted with alternating rows of alfalfa.

Author: Philip F. Torchio
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Alfalfa
Languages : en
Pages : 216

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The study involves the establishment, management, and behavioral observations of Nomia melanderi Cockerell and Megachile rotundata (Fabricius) in California, a survey of native bees within western Fresno County, a determination of selfing and/or parthenocarpy in two fields of alfalfa, and observations on the honeybee as an alfalfa pollinator. The alkali bee is characterized. It is an endemic species limited to western North America. Eight artificial alkali bee nesting sites were constructed during the establishment program. Details of materials used during construction and their importance are discussed. Alkali bee cores used for introduction into California were procured in eastern Oregon and western Idaho, trucked to California, and planted in artificial sites. The heavy usage of insecticides in the area of study proved to be the greatest problem in the survival of the alkali bee. Observed toxicities of Dimethoate, Sevin, Malathion, Systex-Toxaphene, Toxaphene, DDT, Phosdrin, Dibrom, TEPP, Dylox, and Kelthane on the alkali bee were compared. The occurrence of multiple generations of the alkali bee in California is reported. Explanation of this behavior is based upon high soil temperatures (82° F. and above) during the nesting season. The importance of multiple generations is discussed. Biologies and importance of alkali bee parasites in California are described. Procedures for the control of some species are outlined. Methods of constructing trap nests for Megachile rotundata and their distribution throughout the San Joaquin Valley are described. Collections of these trap nests were then made and placed in one field so that readings on frequency of tripping, number of pollen loads required to provision cells, and time required to collect leafcuttings could be made. Observations on mating positions were described. The smallest males and largest females were reproductively isolated because of size difference. Parasites (Melittobia chalybii Ashmead and Monodontomeris montivagus Ashmead) and competitors (Ashmediella aridula Cockerell and Hylaeus grossicornis (Swenk and Cockerell) of Megachile rotundata are discussed. Melittobia chalybii Ashmead, a chalcid wasp, is potentially the most serious parasite and could decide the success or failure of M. rotundata in California. A survey of native bees was made in the area of study. Eight native species were found and their biologies described. Preferred pollen host plants were determined. Reasons why native bee biologies should be studied and understood are given. Two cages, one placed in a Tan Verde seed field and the second in a Ranger field, were used to calculate amount of seed produced from pathways other than by cross-pollination. Comparison of seed harvested from caged plots and field plots indicated that seed produced by non cross-pollination mechanisms could account for the average seed yields in California during recent years. Germination tests indicated, however, that seed produced by mechanisms other than cross-pollination is inferior. Only seven honey bees were observed collecting alfalfa pollen throughout the period of study. Consequently, no valid comparison between its pollinating capacity and that of wild bees could be made.

Author: Glenn Alfred Hackwell
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Bees
Languages : en
Pages : 270

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Nomia melanderi Cockerell is one of the most efficient pollinators of alfalfa in Eastern Oregon. Emergence begins in June, usually reaches its peak in early July, and may continue into early August. Male emergence precedes female emergence by four or five days. For the first few weeks of this time, the males spend the morning hours patrolling the nesting area. As each new female bee emerges, many males attempt to mate with her, but most contacts are unsuccessful. Soil temperature and moisture are the prime factors influencing emergence. After mating has been accomplished, the female bee forages in the field and returns to the bee bed in the afternoon to begin nest construction. The male also spends the afternoon in the field, returning to spend the night in clusters on plants on, or in the vicinity of the bee bed. Some crawl under the loose soil crust, paper, sticks, rocks, or enter burrows for the night. The female, after digging herself under the soil surface, spends the nest two or three days roughing out cells. On the third, fourth or fifth day she begins to collect pollen. She usually forages on blossoms close to the nest, tripping about 96 percent of those visited. The female gradually increases her foraging range, moving progressively further from the nest as she ages. The time required to complete each pollen collecting trip varies considerably, but averages close to 35 minutes. It takes from seven to 11 trips to complete one pollen ball and this may require from 5 1/2 to 9 hours. The female trips the alfalfa blossom by forcing its head against the standard petal while its legs are braced against the wing petals. Mortality is evidenced by an abrupt decline in the number of working females. Eggs of Nomia melanderi require from 2 1/2 to 3 days to hatch. The larva passes through five instars. The fifth instar defecates after all the pollen has been consumed, and transforms into the prepupa, which passes through the winter. The following spring the prepupa transforms into the pupa which shortly develops into the mature adult. The alkali bee uses major and minor landmarks for orientation. Larger landmarks such as haystacks, trees, fences, roads, and ditches are used to locate the bee bed. Then smaller markers such as soil clods, sticks, etc. are used to locate the individual burrow opening. Preliminary studies suggest that the alkali bee is able to distinguish among yellow, green, blue, white and gray colors. Temperature is usually the limiting factor in the initiation of morning activity, whereas light intensity appears to determine the time of flight cessation in the evening.

Author: Janet Louise Moore
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Alfalfa leafcutting bee
Languages : en
Pages : 47

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Author: Steven Karel Javorek
Publisher: National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada
ISBN: 9780612160606
Category : Alfalfa leafcutting bee
Languages : en
Pages : 170

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Author: Siavosh Tirgari
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Alfalfa leafcutting bee
Languages : en
Pages : 260

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Author: Eric H. Erickson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Alfalfa leafcutting bee
Languages : en
Pages : 172

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