2009 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) The objective of this cooperative research is to raise and manipulate M. rotundata females nesting in field cages so as to capture the bees while performing specific behaviors related to different behavioral and physiological states. Genetic analysis of bees collected in the different states will be performed to determine any differential gene expression between states. This study is part of a larger sociogenomic study for exploring the molecular evolution of sociality in Hymenoptera. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Megachile rotundata adults will be reared in the ARS laboratory. The adult bees will then be released into field cages where their nesting activities will be monitored and manipulated for obtaining bees of different behavioral and physiological states. Freezer-killed adults will be shipped/transported to University of Illinois where bees will be dissected and genetic analyses will be performed. 3.Progress Report The goal of this project is to raise and manipulate M. rotundata females nesting in field cages so as to capture the bees while performing specific behaviors related to different behavioral and physiological states. Genetic analysis of bees collected in the different states will be performed to determine any differential gene expression between states. In FY 2009, a University of Illinois graduate student reared M. rotundata in the ARS facility for performing both laboratory and field cage studies. The grad student monitored mating and nesting activities, devised feeding protocols, and manipulated food sources for larvae in order to collect bees in different behavioral and physiological states. The grad student freezer-killed adults and shipped them to University of Illinois for analyses of brain gene expression. This study is part of a larger sociogenomic study for exploring the molecular evolution of sociality in Hymenoptera. The ADODR monitored the progress on this project through various methods including telephone conference calls, site visits, and meetings to discuss project plans and accomplishments, validate project expenditures, and provide technical advice.