Commercial alfalfa seed
(Medicago
sativa) production is dependent on a special pollinator - commonly
called the alfalfa leafcutting bee (Megachile
rotundata). A brief historical overview of the introduction and management
of the leafcutter bee in the USA and Canada is found in the following
link - HISTORY . Over a period
of 20 years
I have selected a variety (OneGen) of the alfalfa
leafcutting bee that is an improvement
over the normal commercial varieties of the leafcutting bee. This univoltine variety reduces the field loss of bees and also results
in improved resistance
to chalk
brood (Ascosphaera aggregata). Field tests
in the USA, Argentina and China have shown that the univoltine trait
can result in a population increase under climatic conditions which
prevents the reproductive increase of normal commercial strains. OneGen is particularly valuable as a potential pollinator for hybrid seed production in a wide variety of field crops (e.g. canola, cotton, soybeans, safflower). Other areas of my research include shelter and nest design, field and reproductive
biology, and population genetics - some of this work is listed under Publications.
I have experience, and an ongoing interest,
in the development
of all aspects of leafcutter bee technology in
countries outside of Canada and the USA. e-mail, [bee@leafcuttingbees.com] or contact me at [ Gerry
Rank, 41 Moxon Crescent, Saskatoon,
SK, S7H 3B8, Canada; Tel: (306)374-1882, Fax (306)933-3868, for further information.