Microbial Communities And Host Plants Of Megachilidae In The Greater Grand Forks Area (GGFA)

Author

Sara Margit Wallace

Date of Award

December 2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biology

First Advisor

Rebecca Simmons

Abstract

Although Megachilidae are important pollinators in the United States, there is still much to learn about the health and functionality of these bees. Megachilids are threatened by competition from non-native pollinators and other environmental factors. The species distribution and composition of the gut microbiome in megachilid bees are not well known for the Greater Grand Forks Area (GGFA). My research seeks to answer the questions: what megachilid species are in the GGFA, where are they, and what symbionts are in their gut microbiomes? I collected and identified solitary bee specimens from North Dakota and Minnesota, dissected their gut contents, and preserved samples for DNA analysis. DNA was extracted and amplified using PCR primers targeting mitochondrial (CO1), chloroplast (rbcL), and bacterial (16S) gene regions to identify bee species, plants, and gut microbes, respectively. I used Sanger and Illumina sequencing to identify microbes and plants to their lowest taxonomic level. I used BLAST to match Sanger sequences to identify megachilid bees; I ran the MOTHUR pipeline for quality control and to identify microbe strains. I used rarefaction, Shannon Diversity Indexes, ANOVA, and PERMANOVA to assess diversity and composition of plant and microbial communities across bee species. I identified nine species of Megachilidae with nearly equal representation of males and females collected via sweep netting. The gut microbiome analysis showed significant overlaps among species, with common bacteria from the Bacillota and Pseudomonadota, suggesting there is a core microbial community for Megachilidae. Plant DNA analysis revealed no significant differences in plant contents across species, likely due to shared habitat and foraging behavior, especially in landscaped areas. Limitations included small sample size, lack of pollen surface data, and sampling bias from collection methods, indicating the need for expanded sampling and complementary techniques. Protecting solitary bees helps ensure the resilience of both natural habitats and agricultural systems throughout our country. By identifying the plant species that megachilids visit, researchers and agronomists can better understand the ecological relationships between solitary bees and their habitats. This knowledge is crucial for informing conservation strategies, such as protection and restoration of native plant communities that support native bee populations. Ultimately, linking bee foraging behavior to specific environments helps ensure the survival of these important pollinators in the face of habitat loss and environmental changes.

Recommended Citation

Wallace, Sara Margit, "Microbial Communities And Host Plants Of Megachilidae In The Greater Grand Forks Area (GGFA)" (2025). Theses and Dissertations. 8251.
https://commons.und.edu/theses/8251