Bee larval frass digestive efficiency analysis (Megachilidae)

Knowledge graph centered on Bee larval frass digestive efficiency analysis (Megachilidae) with 51 nodes and 163 connections. Top connected: Bombus, Ligusticum porteri, Bombus terrestris, Bombus impatiens, Atriplex canescens.

Method synopsis

Analysis of larval fecal pellets to assess digestive efficiency by measuring frass mass relative to provision mass and quantifying undigested pollen grains using microscopy and staining techniques.

Synthesized from method descriptions across 2 papers using this protocol.

Procedure from a recent peer-reviewed implementation

Steps below were extracted from the most recent peer-reviewed implementation of this protocol in the corpus — Understanding pollen specialization in mason bees: a case study of six species (2021), Oecologia. Implementations in other papers (listed below) may differ.

1. Collect and measure frass samples
   Frass samples taken in August 2016 and August 2017 from bees that had reached the defecating larval stage. Frass was stored in freezer until microscope slides could be prepared, then samples were thawed and soaked overnight in Alexander stain
   Quantities: Frass samples from 118 nest cells of bees in cocoon stage, constructed in 2015 and 2016Duration: Collection in August of both years, with laboratory processing following freezer storageConditions: Samples frozen for preservation until laboratory analysis
   Equipment: freezer, microscope slides, Alexander stain

Typical Equipment

• microscope slides
• Alexander stain
• freezer

Output Measurements

• frass mass proportion
• percent empty pollen grains
• digestive efficiency

Papers Using This Protocol (2)

Species Studied With This Protocol