Drifting in populations of the alfalfa leafcutting bee, Megachile rotundata (Fab.) (Hym., Megachilidae)

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Abstract
The within‐field drifting of Megachile rotundata (Fab.) females was evaluated at three field sites in Saskatchewan and one site in Alberta, Canada. Marked females were released at field shelters and bee movement was monitored throughout the field season. High levels of bee drifting were observed at all locations. An average of 32.3% (Saskatchewan) or 51.8% (Alberta) of marked females were observed to have drifted away from their release site. The distance female bees drifted was predicted using exponential regression equations and expressed using contour reponse patterns. This high level of within‐field movement must be taken into account when evaluating field treatments in sub‐populations of alfalfa leafcutting bees.