Rearing larvae of the leaf-cutter bee Megachile rotundata on artificial diets
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Published source details
Nelson E.V., Roberts R.B. & Stephen W.P. (1972) Rearing larvae of the leaf-cutter bee Megachile rotundata on artificial diets. Journal of Apicultural Research, 11, 153-156.
Published source details Nelson E.V., Roberts R.B. & Stephen W.P. (1972) Rearing larvae of the leaf-cutter bee Megachile rotundata on artificial diets. Journal of Apicultural Research, 11, 153-156.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Rear and manage populations of solitary bees Action Link |
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Rear and manage populations of solitary bees
Nelson et al. (1972) reared groups of up to 25 alfalfa leafcutter bees Megachile rotundata on two different pollen substitutes or honey bee-collected pollen, and compared them to larvae reared on pollen collected by the mother bee. Those reared on pollen substitutes either died (one type of synthetic diet) or had lower prepupal weights (average weights 15-40 mg) than the control group (55 mg). Bees reared on honey-bee collected pollen weighed more than the control group (average weights 64-71 mg).
