Free Access
| Issue |
Apidologie
Volume 31, Number 4, July-August 2000
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Page(s) | 503 - 515 | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/apido:2000142 | |
DOI: 10.1051/apido:2000142
Apidologie 31 (2000) 503-515
Nesting behaviour of Centris (Heterocentris) analis (Fabricius) in southeastern Brazil (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Centridini)
Bartira M. Vieira de Jesus - Carlos A. Garofalo
Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de
Ribeirão Preto - USP,
14040-901, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
(
Abstract:
The nesting behaviour of Centris analis was studied on the campus of the University
of Sao Paulo-Ribeir
o Preto, SP, Brazil. The bees nested in trap-nests made
with black cardboard, measuring 5.8 cm in length and 0.6 cm in internal diameter. The bees
constructed their nests with plant material and an oily substance. Completed nests had 1 to 4
cells arranged in a linear series, usually followed by an empty vestibular cell. Cells
provisioned with a greater number of pollen trips were more likely to produce females than
males. The innermost cells of the nests produced females, and the outermost cells produced
males. Nests were parasitized by wasp, Leucospis cayennensis, and by bees,
Coelioxys sp. and Mesocheira bicolor. Intraspecific parasitism was observed
on 10 occasions. Although the factors inducing C. analis females to act
parasitically are not known, the nest-site availability and food availability observed in
this study apparently did not influence that behaviour.
o Preto, SP, Brazil. The bees nested in trap-nests made
with black cardboard, measuring 5.8 cm in length and 0.6 cm in internal diameter. The bees
constructed their nests with plant material and an oily substance. Completed nests had 1 to 4
cells arranged in a linear series, usually followed by an empty vestibular cell. Cells
provisioned with a greater number of pollen trips were more likely to produce females than
males. The innermost cells of the nests produced females, and the outermost cells produced
males. Nests were parasitized by wasp, Leucospis cayennensis, and by bees,
Coelioxys sp. and Mesocheira bicolor. Intraspecific parasitism was observed
on 10 occasions. Although the factors inducing C. analis females to act
parasitically are not known, the nest-site availability and food availability observed in
this study apparently did not influence that behaviour.
Keywords:
nesting behaviour / trap-nest / Centris analis / Apidae / Brazil
Correspondence and reprints: Carlos A. Garofalo
E-mail: garofalo@ffclrp.usp.br
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