Class
Article
College
College of Science
Department
Biology Department
Faculty Mentor
Kimberly Hageman
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
Alfalfa Leaf Cutting Bees (ALCBs) (Megachile rotundata) are a species of managed solitary bees that are essential pollinators for alfalfa seed crops. Understanding the threatscape for the ALCB is necessary; developing risk assessments of pesticides and understanding exposure routes for ALCBs will increase awareness of the dangers pesticides pose to both managed and wild solitary bees. One route of exposure for ALCB larvae is through ingestion of a contaminated nectar-pollen provision mass, which is the larvae’s sole food source until they pupate. The provision mass can be contaminated two ways: the nectar and pollen used to make the provisions were contaminated from pesticide application or the building materials for the nest were contaminated from application, which then contaminates the provision mass. This study will look at the second exposure route and will determine the rate of transfer of chlorpyrifos, an insecticide commonly used on alfalfa, from alfalfa leaves (the nest building material) into the provision mass. To replicate natural exposure routes, artificial nests will be built using alfalfa leaves and contaminated with chlorpyrifos. Uncontaminated provisions will then be injected into the artificial nests and sealed to prevent volatilization of chlorpyrifos into the air. The artificial nests will be left in a temperature-controlled chamber for periods of 12 hours to 14 days. Chlorpyrifos will be extracted from alfalfa leaves and provisions using the Energized Dispersive Guided Extraction (EDGE) system, which combines both Pressurized Liquid Extraction (PLE) and dispersive Solid Phase Extraction (dSPE) into one system. The extractions will then be analyzed using Gas Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The results of this study will be used to increase the understanding of solitary bee exposure routes to pesticides and help increase awareness of the risks associated with pesticide misuse for solitary bees.Presentation Time: Wednesday, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Location
Logan, UT
Start Date
4-12-2021 12:00 AM
Included in
Determining Transfer Rates of Chlorpyrifos From Alfalfa Leaves to Provisions in Alfalfa Leaf Cutting Bee Nests
Logan, UT
Alfalfa Leaf Cutting Bees (ALCBs) (Megachile rotundata) are a species of managed solitary bees that are essential pollinators for alfalfa seed crops. Understanding the threatscape for the ALCB is necessary; developing risk assessments of pesticides and understanding exposure routes for ALCBs will increase awareness of the dangers pesticides pose to both managed and wild solitary bees. One route of exposure for ALCB larvae is through ingestion of a contaminated nectar-pollen provision mass, which is the larvae’s sole food source until they pupate. The provision mass can be contaminated two ways: the nectar and pollen used to make the provisions were contaminated from pesticide application or the building materials for the nest were contaminated from application, which then contaminates the provision mass. This study will look at the second exposure route and will determine the rate of transfer of chlorpyrifos, an insecticide commonly used on alfalfa, from alfalfa leaves (the nest building material) into the provision mass. To replicate natural exposure routes, artificial nests will be built using alfalfa leaves and contaminated with chlorpyrifos. Uncontaminated provisions will then be injected into the artificial nests and sealed to prevent volatilization of chlorpyrifos into the air. The artificial nests will be left in a temperature-controlled chamber for periods of 12 hours to 14 days. Chlorpyrifos will be extracted from alfalfa leaves and provisions using the Energized Dispersive Guided Extraction (EDGE) system, which combines both Pressurized Liquid Extraction (PLE) and dispersive Solid Phase Extraction (dSPE) into one system. The extractions will then be analyzed using Gas Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The results of this study will be used to increase the understanding of solitary bee exposure routes to pesticides and help increase awareness of the risks associated with pesticide misuse for solitary bees.Presentation Time: Wednesday, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.