Increased seed yields often result when alfalfa fields are burned in spring. The main pollinator of seed alfalfa in Alberta is the alfalfa leafcutter bee. Megachile rotundata (F.). that cuts pieces of leaves to build thimble-like cells. One hypothesis for increased seed yield is that alfalfa leaves from burned fields may be easier for the bees to cut. Cutting of leaf pieces causes progressive wear to the mandibles. which could decrease bee efficiency. resulting in reduced pollination and lower seed yields. An image analysis method was used to measure the mandibular wear of leafcutter bees from burned and unburned alfalfa fields. No consistent difference in the amount of wear between bees foraging in burned or unburned fields was found.