Alkali Bees: Response of Adults to Pathogenic Fungi in Brood Cells

Abstract

Female alkali bees (Nomia melanderi) opened sealed cells containing brood infested with Aspergillus flavus, A. tamarii, Fusarium solani, Rhizopus sp., or Mucor sp. and filled them with compact soil, thus reducing fungus sporulation. Such awareness of the condition of sealed brood is hitherto unknown among solitary bees.