Research Project: Enhancing Pollinator Health and Availability Through Conservation of Genetic Diversity and Development of Novel Management Tools and Strategies

Location: Weed and Insect Biology Research

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)

Hypoxia extends lifespan but does not alter telomere length or oxidative stress in a solitary bee (Megachile rotundata) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Szejner-Sigal, A., Heidinger, B.J., Kittilson, J.D., Torson, A.S., Rinehart, J.P., Yocum, G.D., Bowsher, J.H., Greenlee, K.J. 2025. Hypoxia extends lifespan but does not alter telomere length or oxidative stress in a solitary bee (Megachile rotundata). Journal of Experimental Biology. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.250500.

Senescence and early-life performance as predictors of lifespan in a solitary bee - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Szejner-Sigal, A., Rinehart, J.P., Bowsher, J.H., Greenlee, K.J. 2025. Senescence and early-life performance as predictors of lifespan in a solitary bee. Proceedings of the Royal Society. B. Biological Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2024.2637.

High abundance of lactobacilli in the gut microbiome of honey bees during winter - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Brar, G., Ngor, L., Mcfrederick, Q.S., Torson, A.S., Rajamohan, A., Rinehart, J.P., Singh, P., Bowsher, J.H. 2025. High abundance of lactobacilli in the gut microbiome of honey bees during winter. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-90763-0.

Microclimate and season affect flight initiation in the alfalfa leafcutting bee - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Earls, K., Rinehart, J.P., Greenlee, K. 2025. Microclimate and season affect flight initiation in the alfalfa leafcutting bee. Ecological Entomology. https://doi.org/10.1111/een.13432.

Diapause, pollen ball incidence, and overwintering energetics in the alfalfa leafcutting bee, Megachile rotundata - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Singh, P., Rajamohan, A., Waybright, S.A., Michael, D.E., Ferrenberg, S., Rinehart, J.P., Bowsher, J.H. 2024. Diapause, pollen ball incidence, and overwintering energetics in the alfalfa leafcutting bee, Megachile rotundata. PLOS ONE. https://doi.org/10.3389/frbee.2024.1454790.

Environmentally acquired gut-associated bacteria are not critical for growth and survival in a solitary bee, Megachile rotundata - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Brar, G., Floden, M., Mcfrederick, Q., Rajamohan, A., Yocum, G.D., Bowsher, J. 2024. Microbiome dynamics influence larval nutrition, survival and endosymbiont abundance in the solitary bee, Megachile rotundata. BMC Microbiology. https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.02076-23.

Monarch butterfly conservation through male germplasm cryopreservation - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Grula, C.C., Rajamohan, A., Rinehart, J.P. 2024. Monarch butterfly conservation through male germplasm cryopreservation. Science. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-65624-x.

Effects of age on oxidative stress and locomotion in the pollinator, Megachile rotundata - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Pithan, J.B., Rinehart, J.P., Greenlee, K.J., Lopez-Martinez, G. 2024. Effects of age on oxidative stress and locomotion in the pollinator, Megachile rotundata. Current Research in Insect Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinsphys.2024.104666.

Telomere length increases following quiescence in two solitary bee species - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Grula, C.C., Rinehart, J.D., Anacleto, A., Kittison, J.D., Heidinger, B.J., Greenlee, K.J., Rinehart, J.P., Bowsher, J.H. 2024. Telomere length increases following quiescence in two solitary bee species. Scientific Reports. 14. Article 11208. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-61613-2.

Development of a degree-day model for adult emergence of the red sunflower seed weevil, Smicronyx fulvus LeConte (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Pantzke, S., Rajamohan, A., Ferguson, B., Rinehart, J.P., Prischmann-Voldseth, D.A., Prasifka, J.R. 2024. Development of a degree-day model for adult emergence of the red sunflower seed weevil, Smicronyx fulvus LeConte (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Journal of Kansas Entomological Society. 97(1):26-38.

Assessing the effects of cold storage regimes of North American Bombus gynes - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Lindsay, T.T., Hagen, M.M., Kapheim, K., Knoblett, J.N., Rinehart, J.P., Strange, J. 2024. Assessing the effects of cold storage regimes of North American Bombus gynes. Journal of Applied Entomology. https://doi.org/10.1111/jen.13261.

Metabolic and transcriptomic characterization of summer and winter dormancy in the solitary bee, Osmia lignaria - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Melicher, D., Torson, A.S., Yocum, G.D., Bosch, J., Kemp, W.P., Bowsher, J., Rinehart, J.P. 2024. Metabolic and transcriptomic characterization of summer and winter dormancy in the solitary bee, Osmia lignaria. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104074.

Bee diversity and abundance in perennial irrigated crops and adjacent habitats in central Washington state - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Grula, C.C., Richard, Z.S., Walsh, D.B. 2024. Bee diversity and abundance in perennial irrigated crops and adjacent habitats in central Washington state. Florida Entomologist. https://doi.org/10.1515/flaent-2024-0007.

Effects of temperature on metabolic rate during metamorphosis in the alfalfa leafcutting bee - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Earls, K., Campbell, J., Rinehart, J.P., Greenlee, K. 2023. Effects of temperature on metabolic rate during metamorphosis in the alfalfa leafcutting bee. Biology Open. https://doi.org/10.1242/bio.060213.

Nesting cavity diameter has implications for management of the alfalfa leafcutting bee (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Rinehart, J., Grula, C.C., Rinehart, J.P., Bowsher, J. 2023. Nesting cavity diameter has implications for management of the alfalfa leafcutting bee (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae). Physiological Entomology. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toad207.

Identification of sex-specific markers based on gene expression in adult Colorado potato beetles - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Warcup, K., Torson, A.S., Yocum, G.D. 2023. Identification of sex-specific markers based on gene expression in adult Colorado potato beetles. Journal of Insect Science. 23(4):1-6. https://doi.org/10.1093/jisesa/iead071.

Thermal biology and overwintering behavior of the red sunflower seed weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Pantzke, S., Ferguson, B., Rajamohan, A., Rinehart, J.P., Prischmann-Voldseth, D., Prasifka, J.R. 2023. Thermal biology and overwintering behavior of the red sunflower seed weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Environmental Entomology. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvad041.

Molecular signatures of diapause in the Asian longhorned beetle: gene expression - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Torson, A.S., Roe, A.E., Doucet, D., Sinclair, B.J. 2023. Molecular signatures of diapause in the Asian longhorned beetle: gene expression. Current Research in Insect Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cris.2023.100054.

Sperm can't take the heat: Short-term temperature exposures compromise fertility of male bumble bees (Bombus impatiens) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Campion, C., Rajamohan, A., Dillon, M. 2023. Sperm can't take the heat: Short-term temperature exposures compromise fertility of male bumble bees (Bombus impatiens). Journal of Insect Physiology. 146(2023). Article 104491. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinsphys.2023.104491.

Transcriptional landscape of early diapause in field-collected Colorado potato beetles - (Abstract Only)

Vitrification of lepidopteran embryos - a simple protocol to cryopreserve the embryos of the sunflower moth, Homoeosoma electellum - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Rajamohan, A., Prasifka, J.R., Rinehart, J.P. 2022. Vitrification of lepidopteran embryos - a simple protocol to cryopreserve the embryos of the sunflower moth, Homoeosoma electellum. Insects. 13(10). Article 959. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13100959.

Energy consumption and cold hardiness of diapausing fall webworm pupae - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Zhao, L., Wang, X., Liu, Z., Torson, A.S. 2022. Energy consumption and cold hardiness of diapausing fall webworm pupae. Insects. 13(9). Article 853. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13090853.

Effects of temperature and wildflower strips on survival and nutrition dynamics of Megachile rotundata under extended cold storage - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Park, M.G., Delphia, C.M., Prince, C.M., Yocum, G.D., Rinehart, J.P., O'Neill, K.M. 2022. Effects of temperature and wildflower strips on survival and nutrition dynamics of Megachile rotundata under extended cold storage. Environmental Entomology. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvac062.

Timing of diapause initiation and overwintering conditions alter gene expression profiles in Megachile rotundata - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Cambron-Kopco, Yocum, G.D., Yeater, K.M., Greenlee, K. 2022. Timing of diapause initiation and overwintering conditions alter gene expression profiles in Megachile rotundata. Frontiers in Physiology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.844820.

Life stage and the environment as effectors of transposable element activity in two bee species - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Signor, S., Yocum, G.D., Bowsher, J. 2022. Life stage and the environment as effectors of transposable element activity in two bee species. Journal of Insect Physiology. 137. Article 104361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinsphys.2022.104361.

Vitrification of manually stage selected embryos of Drosophila melanogaster have significantly higher survival and adult emergence - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Debardlabon, K.M., Rajamohan, A., Rinehart, J.P. 2022. Vitrification of manually stage selected embryos of Drosophila melanogaster have significantly higher survival and adult emergence. Journal of Cryobiology. 105:83-87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2022.01.002.

Thermal history of alfalfa leafcutting bees affects nesting and diapause incidence - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Earls, K., Porter, M., Rinehart, J.P., Greenlee, K. 2021. Thermal history of alfalfa leafcutting bees affects nesting and diapause incidence. Journal of Experimental Biology. 224(22). https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.243242.

Size constrains oxygen delivery capacity within but not between bumble bee castes - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Walter, R.M., Rinehart, J.P., Dillon, M.E., Greenlee, K.J. 2021. Size constrains oxygen delivery capacity within but not between bumble bee castes. Journal of Insect Physiology. 134. Article 104297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinsphys.2021.104297.

Body size allometry impacts flight-related morphology and metabolic rates in the solitary bee Megachile rotundata - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Grula, C.C., Rinehart, J.P., Greenlee, K.J., Bowsher, J.H. 2021. Body size allometry impacts flight-related morphology and metabolic rates in the solitary bee Megachile rotundata. Journal of Insect Physiology. 133. Article 104275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinsphys.2021.104275.

Environmental impacts on diapause and survival of the alfalfa leafcutting bee, Megachile rotundata - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wilson, E.S., Murphy, C., Wong, C., Rinehart, J.P., Yocum, G.D., Bowsher, J.H. 2021. Environmental impacts on diapause and survival of the alfalfa leafcutting bee Megachile rotundata. PLOS ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0254651.

Comparative analysis of cryopreservation of seminal vesicle derived spermatozoa from Bombus impatiens and Apis mellifera - Implications for artificial insemination of bumble bees - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Campion, C.C., Rajamohan, A., Rinehart, J.P. 2021. Comparative analysis of cryopreservation of seminal vesicle derived spermatozoa from Bombus impatiens and Apis mellifera - Implications for artificial insemination of bumble bees. Journal of Cryobiology. 102:136-139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2021.06.002.

Overwintering conditions impact insulin pathway gene expression in diapausing Megachile rotundata - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Cambron, L.D., Yocum, G.D., Yeater, K.M., Greenlee, K. 2021. Overwintering conditions impact insulin pathway gene expression in diapausing Megachile rotundata. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. 256. Article 110937. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpa.2021.110937.

Comparison of fluctuating thermal regimes and commercially achievable constant-temperature regimes for short-term storage of the alfalfa leafcutting bee (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Yocum, G.D., Rajamohan, A., Rinehart, J.P. 2021. Comparison of fluctuating thermal regimes and commercially achievable constant-temperature regimes for short-term storage of the alfalfa leafcutting bee (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae). Journal of Economic Entomology. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toab019.

Physiological responses to cryoprotectant treatment in an early larval stage of the malaria mosquito, Anopheles gambiae - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Campbell, J.B., Dosch, A., Hunt, C.M., Dotson, E.M., Benedict, M.Q., Rajamohan, A., Rinehart, J.P. 2021. Physiological responses to cryoprotectant treatment in an early larval stage of the malaria mosquito, Anopheles gambiae. Journal of Cryobiology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2020.12.001.