Location: Weed and Insect Biology Research
Project Number: 3060-30500-001-010-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2025
End Date: Aug 31, 2026
Objective:
Parasitic wasps are a primary concern for managers of the alfalfa leafcutting bee, and critically important pollinator of alfalfa for seed production and other specialty crops. This agreement will support research associated with developing cold exposure as a management tool for these wasps. Specifically, we will explore cold resistance in both the parasite and the host, and determine whether cold treatments could be used reduce infections of the parasitoid Pteromalus venustus.
Approach:
1. Quantify the phenotypic plasticity of cold tolerance in M. rotundata and P. venustus. We will measure thermal tolerance during diapause across multiple thermal pretreatments to identity temperature ranges for targeted P. venustus mortality.
2. To assess the feasibility of cold treatment as a management strategy. We will evaluate the efficacy of low-temperature treatments as environmentally friendly strategy for reducing P. venustus parasitism in M. rotundata brood cells. This strategy could potentially mitigate economic losses in alfalfa seed production.