Nest building behavior of released alfalfa leafcutter bee, Megachile rotundata, in the alfalfa field
Author of the article:
Author's Workplace：
Key Words：alfalfa, environmental factors(Megachile rotundata), leafcutter bee, nest
Abstract：The alfalfa leafcutter bee (Megachile rotundata F.) is known as efficient pollinators for alfalfa, which is widely used in alfalfa pollination in recent years. So it is important to analyze the field activity of leafcutter bee. The nest building behavior was observed in the field. The results showed that leafcutter bees were active during the whole flowering period. It adapted to the environment in 4 days after release. During July 8～22, the highest number of foraging bees in one nest reached 426. The peak of activity was 10: 00～16:00 every day. Up to 14 cells in one nest were sealed in one day, and the average amount of sealed cells in one nest reached up to 185.