Location: Pollinating Insect-Biology, Management, Systematics Research
Project Number: 2080-21000-019-077-I
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement
Start Date: Apr 1, 2026
End Date: Mar 31, 2028
Objective:
Establish baseline data on understanding of Osmia bruneri as a managed pollinator and model organism to ask biological relevant environmental stressors questions.
Approach:
We will track development of O. bruneri under four temperature regimens: 1) average fluctuating temperature conditions across their range, 2) 4°C more than the average fluctuating temperature range, 3) 4°C less than their average fluctuating temperature range, and constant temps (~26°C). We will examine the effects of delayed winter temperatures and use of cold storage on O. bruneri. Bees will be placed into overwintering storage to simulate early, average and late winter temperatures. Nesting resource limitations of O. bruneri will also be examined. Assessing nesting material preference (i.e. reeds, straws, wood) and nest construction material preference (i.e what species of plants do they line their nests with). Finally, we will assess the dispersal capabilities of this bee species and its potential as a managed pollinator.