ICE Network Fargo

Timing of diapause initiation and overwintering conditions alter gene expression profiles in Megachile rotundata

Lizzette D. Cambron-Kopco, George D. Yocum, Kathleen M. Yeater, Kendra J. Greenlee Abstract Within the United States and Canada, the primary pollinator of alfalfa is the alfalfa leafcutting bee (ALCB), Megachile rotundata. Our previous findings showed that overwintering conditions impacted gene expression profile in ALCB prepupae that entered diapause early in the season. However, ALCB…

Anoxia hormesis improves performance and longevity at the expense of fitness in a classic life history trade-off

Alyssa M.De La Torre, Giancarlo López-Martínez Abstract Hormesis occurs as a result of biphasic dose relationship resulting in stimulatory responses at low doses and inhibitory ones at high doses. In this framework, environmental factors are often studied to understand how this exposure benefits the animal. In the current study we used anoxia, the total absence…

Anoxia elicits the strongest stimulatory protective response in insect low-oxygen hormesis

Jacob B.Campbell, Giancarlo López-Martínez Published: March, 2022 Abstract The manipulation of oxygen to trigger the stimulatory response known as hormesis is an area of interest in insects that was born almost fifty years ago. Varying low-oxygen treatments have been investigated many times since with differing responses found; some hormetic/some harmful. In this review, we summarize…

Phat Queens Emerge Fashionably Late: Body Size and Condition Predict Timing of Spring Emergence for Queen Bumble Bees

Ellen Keaveny, Michael Dillon Published: September 24, 2022 Abstract For insects, the timing of many life history events (phenology) depends on temperature cues. Body size is a critical mediator of insect responses to temperature, so may also influence phenology. The determinants of spring emergence of bumble bee queens are not well understood, but body size…

Life stage and the environment as effectors of transposable element activity in two bee species

Sarah Signor, George Yocum, Julia Bowsher Published: January, 2022 Abstract Diapause is a complex physiological phenomenon that allows insects to weather stressful environmental conditions. The regulation of diapause is accordingly complex, including signaling pathways that involve both small RNA and mRNA and affect the cell cycle, stress resistance, and developmental timing. Transposable elements, mobile genetic…

Thermal history of alfalfa leafcutting bees affects nesting and diapause incidence

Earls, Kayla, Porter, Monique, Rinehart, Joseph P., and Greenlee, Kendra J. Published: November 26, 2021 Abstract Variable spring temperatures may expose developing insects to sublethal conditions, resulting in long-term consequences. The alfalfa leafcutting bee, Megachile rotundata, overwinters as a prepupa inside a brood cell, resuming development in spring. During these immobile stages of development, bees…

2023 Pollination Nation

Application open December 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023 Program Dates: May 30 – August 4, 2023 (10 weeks)Salary and Housing: $4500 ($450/week). For participants from outside Fargo, housing will be provided on NDSU campus.Travel: Travel funds are available upon request on a first come, first served basis. The Bowsher and Greenlee Labs in the…

Madison Floden

Madison Floden is a M.S. Biology student at North Dakota State University. Her expertise includes Megachile rotundata in vitro rearing and treatments, Micro-cell DSC, Glycerol assays, Triglyceride assays, and Microelectrodes. Madison is currently finishing research on Megachile rotundata and preparing to transition to the sugar beet root maggot and microelectrode ion research pre and post…