Effects of proline on survival, locomotion and amino acidhaemolymph composition ofOsmia cornuta(Latreille, 1805)

Flower nectar, a sugar-rich solution containing amino acids as major secondary solutes,is the primary energy source for bees. Proline is one of the most abundant protein nectaramino acids, showing several effects on bee physiology. Mason bees are outstandingpollinators, often preferred toApis melliferafor pollination of fruit trees. Among them,Osmiacornuta(Latreille) is one of the most successfully managed species on a commercial scale. Inthis work, the effects of 10 mM proline-enriched diet administration onO. cornutafeed con-sumption, survival, behaviour and haemolymphamino acid composition were investigated.Feed intake was higher for the proline diet, while survival rate was not affected. Behaviourwas affected only in the senescence of the mason bees with a reduction in locomotoractivity induced by proline intake. Proline diet also affected the haemolymph amino acidcomposition, decreasing concentration of tyrosine, methionine, leucine and phenylalanineafter 10 days of feeding. These results were discussed in relation to the potential involve-ment of proline in oxidative stress in insects and proline’s ability to be converted to