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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fargo, North Dakota » Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center » Insect Genetics and Biochemistry Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #294858
Title: Genetic diversity populations of the blue orchard bee (Osmia lignaria) in eastern and western North America

Author
item Roehrdanz, Richard
item Sears Wichmann, Sheila

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/29/2013
Publication Date: 11/10/2013
Citation: Roehrdanz, R.L., Sears Wichmann, S.G. 2013. Genetic diversity populations of the blue orchard bee (Osmia lignaria) in eastern and western North America [abstract]. Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting. November 10-13, 2013. Austin, Tx. Poster No. D0727.

Interpretive Summary: The blue orchard bee (Osmia lignaria) is a native pollinator that is an excellent candidate to supplement the honeybee in agricultural settings. Genetic diversity of wild-caught bees from several locations in eastern and western USA is being measured with mitochondrial and nuclear DNA segments. There appears to be only a small amount of diversity that is unique to eastern populations. A divergent mtDNA clade has been recovered that is restricted to the mountain west. To date the bees that have been most expansively employed for pollination have originated from the populations showing the greatest genetic diversity.

Technical Abstract: The blue orchard bee (Osmia lignaria) is a native pollinator that is an excellent candidate to supplement the honeybee in agricultural settings. Genetic diversity of wild-caught bees from several locations in eastern and western USA is being measured with mitochondrial and nuclear DNA segments. There appears to be only a small amount of diversity that is unique to eastern populations. A divergent mtDNA clade has been recovered that is restricted to the mountain west. To date the bees that have been most expansively employed for pollination have originated from the populations showing the greatest genetic diversity.