As honey bees struggle to keep up with crop pollination demands, alternative managed pollinators like the alfalfa leafcutter bee (Megachile rotundata) are becoming more important. Like any bee managed in large aggregations, the alfalfa leafcutter bee is susceptible to parasite and pathogen pressures, many of which have been understudied, especially in comparison to honey bee diseases. Our research with the alfalfa leafcutting bee is focused on controlling parasites and pests of these bees, and ultimately increasing their health and productivity as an alternative crop pollinator.