Microflora associated with the alfalfa leafcutting bee, Megachile rotundata (Fab) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) in Saskatchewan, Canada

Abstract

Dominant fungi included Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus niger, Eurotium chevalieri, Mucor sp, Penicillium spp, Saccharomyces sp, Trichoderma citrinoviride and Trichosporonoides sp. Bacteria commonly isolated included Bacillus circulans, Bacillus mycoides, Enterobacter agglomerans and Pseudomonas spp. These microorganisms may be involved in activities such as spoilage of provisions, production of enzymes, antibiotics, mycotoxins, and growth factors, metabolic conversion of provisions, and inhibition of competing microorganisms. Microbial succession was observed involving yeast and bacterial fermenation of provisions followed by moult overgrowth of cell contents; this process was often associated with larval mortality. -from Author