Publications by authors named "Ruth P O'Neill"
Article Synopsis
- Orchid bees are significant pollinators in the Neotropics, especially in Central America, but less research has been conducted in Belize, where this study focused on various environmental factors affecting their populations from 2015-2020.
- Researchers used chemically baited bottle traps across different sites to collect data on orchid bee species diversity and distribution, with a focus on variables like latitude, precipitation, and elevation.
- The study found 24 species of orchid bees, with species richness positively correlated with precipitation, while species composition varied by environmental conditions; sites near agricultural areas showed higher species diversity and potential for discovering new species with further sampling.
Article Synopsis
- Solitary, nest-provisioning female bees have low fecundity but invest heavily in fewer offspring by producing larger eggs, with egg size correlating to the female's body size.
- In the solitary bee Megachile rotundata, larger females tend to have larger basal oocytes and greater lipid reserves, which may aid in oocyte growth immediately following emergence.
- Compared to other solitary bees, M. rotundata has smaller oocytes overall, similar sizes to closely related species, and larger sizes than brood parasitic relatives.
Environ Entomol
August 2011
Article Synopsis
- Temperature is crucial for managing the alfalfa leafcutting bee, a key pollinator for seed alfalfa in North America, with specific thresholds for optimal rearing conditions identified.
- A study examined various temperature effects on bee development post-wintering, finding ideal temperatures for growth (33-34°C) and lipid content (27-29°C) while confirming it's possible to rear bees in a wider range (22-35°C).
- Results highlight challenges in creating effective rearing guidelines that maximize development rates, survival, and condition of adults, while ensuring their emergence aligns with alfalfa flowering.
