Interspecific interactions in solitary Aculeata – is the presence of heterospecifics important for females establishing nests?

2017 ◽  
Vol 108 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Kierat ◽  
K. Miler ◽  
W. Celary ◽  
M. Woyciechowski
Keyword(s):  
Interspecific Interactions ◽  
Limited Resource ◽  
Nest Defense ◽  
Trap Nests ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Nesting Sites ◽  
Aggregated Nesting ◽  
Trap Nest

AbstractThere are several possible causes of aggregated nesting in solitary Aculeata, one being joint defense against parasites. We tested whether females prefer nesting in aggregations, even if they consist of heterospecifics. We compared the colonization and nesting parasitism of trap-nests with and without a red mason bee aggregation. The results did not support our hypothesis that females prefer nesting in aggregations. The numbers of wild Aculeata nests did not differ between trap-nests with and without an aggregation. Unexpectedly, parasitism rates were higher in trap-nests with aggregations. When analyzing only nests of wild insects (mostly wasps), the differences in parasitism disappeared. Natural nesting sites may be such a limited resource that females nested in the first trap-nest they encountered and did not discriminate between our treatments, or wasps might share too few parasites species with bees to benefit from joint nest defense.

scholarly journals Unveiling the trap-nesting bees and wasps’ fauna (Hymenoptera: Apocrita) and associated organisms of the Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 ◽  
pp. e20206049
Author(s):  
Diego Marinho ◽  
Felipe Vivallo
Keyword(s):  
Natural Enemies ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Rio De Janeiro ◽  
Environmental Disturbance ◽  
Rubber Hose ◽  
Forest Fragment ◽  
Species List ◽  
Trap Nests ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Trap Nest

Urban areas, as cities, are frequently overlooked as refuges for the native fauna. However, these places may support several species and house relevant biodiversity contributing to important ecosystemic functions. Wasps and bees (Hymenoptera: Apocrita) are important faunistic elements acting as predators/parasitoids and pollinators, respectively. Therefore, they must be surveyed and inventoried for conservation purposes, especially in cities located in the Atlantic Forest domain, a ravaged Brazilian biome. Accordingly, this study presents a species list of trap-nesting bees and wasps that occurs at the Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro. The survey was conducted using the trap-nest method. Three types of trap-nests were offered totalizing 1,038 traps: rubber hose, bamboo cane and plastic straw. The plastic straw traps were the most effective followed by the bamboo cane ones at attracting nesting wasps and bees. Between April/2017 and February/2019, 12 foundress species built nests: Tetrapedia curvitarsis (Apidae) (33 nests), Hylaeus sp. (Colletidae) (6), Auplopus cf. rufipes (Pompilidae) (5), Trypoxylon sp. (Crabronidae) (4), Pachodynerus nasidens (Vespidae) (3), Auplopus cf. brasiliensis (Pompilidae), Megachile benigna and Megachile sp. (Megachilidae), Euglossa pleosticta, Euglossa sp., and Eufriesea sp. (Apidae) and Penepodium sp. (Sphecidae) all with one nest. Also, four natural enemies were recorded: Chaenotetrastichus neotropicalis (Eulophidae), Gasteruption brachychaetum (Gasterupteiidae), Caenochrysis crotonis (Chrysididae) and Amobia sp. (Diptera: Sarcophagidae). Most bee nests were restrained to the matrix forest and nearby areas, whereas wasps built their nests predominantly in open areas. Regarding seasonality, bees tended to nest in the summer and early autumn influenced by mean temperature, in contrast of wasps that nested in late autumn, winter and spring, influenced by pluviosity. Besides many rare species, which suggests environmental disturbance, the Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro showed a fairly diverse fauna and shows how forest fragment in cities may harbour important representatives of the native fauna.

scholarly journals Nests of Eufriesea aff. auriceps (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Euglossini) in remnants of Atlantic Forest and reforested areas

Sociobiology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
André Luis Gobatto ◽  
Amanda Guimarães Franciscon ◽  
Natalia Uemura ◽  
Susanna Mendes Miranda ◽  
Giovanna Gabriely Cesar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Internal Diameter ◽  
Nest Architecture ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Total Size ◽  
Internal Contour ◽  
Orchid Bee ◽  
Trap Nests ◽  
Forest Remnants ◽  
Trap Nest

In recent decades, the use of the trap-nest technique has helped to increase knowledge on the nest architecture of many orchid bee species. This study describes the nest architecture of Eufriesea aff. auriceps constructed in trap-nests made of dried bamboo internodes (canes). The nests were placed in remnants of Atlantic forest and in reforested areas next to forest remnants and monitored monthly from August 2015 to August 2016 and from August 2018 to August 2019 in southern Brazil. The bamboo internodes occupied by bees varied in internal diameter from 1.0cm to 2.0 cm (`X = 1.7; SD = 0.3; N = 12) and in length from 11.0 cm to 28.0 cm (`X = 19.5; SD = 4.8; N = 12). The total size of the nests inside the bamboo internodes ranged from 9.0 cm to 19.9 cm (`X = 14.3; SD= 3.9; N = 12). The number of brood cells constructed per nest varied from 1 to 10 (`X = 4.0; SD = 2.3; N = 15). The cells were built with small pieces of bark cemented with resin, linearly arranged along the bamboo tube. Internally, the cell wall was lined with resin. The cells measured 1.5-3.0 cm (`X = 2.3 ± 0.5; N = 48) in length and 1.4-1.7 (`X = 1.5 ± 0.1; N = 17) cm in width. The internal contour of the cells was elliptical. Females of Eufriesea aff. auriceps occupied trap-nests in both the forest remnants and in areas undergoing restoration.

A Note on Hoplitis producta (Cress.) in Wisconsin (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)

1961 ◽  
Vol 93 (7) ◽  
pp. 571-573 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. T. Medler
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Rocky Mountains ◽  
Nesting Biology ◽  
Trap Nests ◽  
Trap Nest

The nesting biology of Hoplitis producta has been reported by several authors, as the species is a common and widely distributed bee in North America east of the Rocky Mountains. Additional records, which have been obtained in connection with trap-nest research on bees and wasps in Wisconsin, are provided to supplement the previous reports.The nests were found in the pith at the butt ends of sumac stick trap-nests. A nest could be recognized readily because the 3 mm. plug that closed the burrow had a more solid texture and a darker color than the surrounding pith at the end of the stick. Rau (1928) found nests in tunnels of elder, sumac or rose stems but could not ascertain whether the bee excavated its own burrows or utilized burrows left by other twig-dwellers. Fischer (1955) stated that the female almost invariably excavated its own burrow. In Wisconsin, freshly cut sumac sticks were placed in the field in the spring; therefore, each of the following records represents a nest in a burrow excavated by the foundress bee.

scholarly journals Nesting biology of Trypoxylon (Trypargilum) lactitarse Saussure (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae) in trap-nests in Southern Brazil

2006 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 919-929 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. L. T. Buschini ◽  
F. Niesing ◽  
L. L. Wolff
Keyword(s):  
Natural Enemies ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Linear Series ◽  
Direct Development ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Nesting Biology ◽  
Trap Nests ◽  
Delayed Development ◽  
Trap Nest

This study was carried in the Parque Municipal das Araucárias in the municipality of Guarapuava, state of Paraná, Southern Brazil. Three hundred and sixty five nests of T. lactitarse were obtained using trap-nests of 0.7, 1.0, and 1.3 cm in diameter. All of them had similar architecture, regardless of the diameter of the trap-nest. Completed nests consisted of a linear series of brood cells whose average number per nest was of 3.3, 4.0 and 3.6 for the nests with 0.7 cm, 1.0 cm and 1.3 cm in diameter, respectively. They were constructed more often during the summer. T. lactitarse had two types of life cycles: direct development (without diapause), and delayed development (with diapause during winter). Natural enemies included Chrysididae, Sarcophagidae, Dolichopodidae and Ichneumonidae. Out of 1,353 identified spider prey, 1,313 belonged to the Araneidae family.

scholarly journals Occupation and Emergence of Solitary Bees in Different Types of Trap Nests

Sociobiology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 316
Author(s):  
Michelle De Oliveira Guimarães Brasil ◽  
Daniel De Freitas Brasil ◽  
Alípio José de Souza Pacheco Filho ◽  
Cláudia Inês da Silva ◽  
Breno Magalhães Freitas
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Adult Stage ◽  
Parasitism Rate ◽  
Pollination Services ◽  
Artificial Nests ◽  
Trap Nests ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Potential Use ◽  
Number Of Cells ◽  
Trap Nest

The study investigated the occupation and emergence of bees that nest in trap-nests and assessed aspects of the structure of such nests, sex ratio, parasitism and mortality of bees in four areas of Baturité Massif, State of Ceará. Samples were taken using three types of trap-nests: dried bamboo internodes, cardboard tubes and rational boxes. In the four studied sites, a total of 185 artificial nests were offered monthly and 34 of them were occupied by bees. Six species of bees, distributed in five genera (Centris, Mesocheira, Euglossa, Megachile and Coelioxys) occupied the 34 trap-nests, but of this total nests, 24 presented emergence of individuals. In the rest of the nests there was mortality of the occupants. Considering the total of nests with emergence, it was obtained 139 individuals: 131 bees (28 kleptoparasite bees) and 8 coleopterans. In 34 bee nests obtained, there were constructed 162 brood cells, the number of cells per trap-nest varied from 1 to 13 brood cells and the length of these nests varied from 2.4 to 14cm. Thirteen nests were parasitized by hymenopterans (Apidae and Megachilidae) and coleopterans (Meloidae), resulting in a parasitism rate of 38.2% of the total of nests founded. In addition, mortality occurred from unknown causes in 29.4% (n=10) of individuals before reaching adult stage. This work identified the bee species that use pre-existing cavities in the Baturite Massif, determined their nesting requirements and constrains for their reproduction. This information may contribute to conservation efforts of these bee species as well as their potential use for pollination services.

Cavity Length Affects the Occupation of Trap-Nests by Centris analis and Tetrapedia diversipes (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Sociobiology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 261
Author(s):  
Claudia Oliveira Santos ◽  
Paulo Enrique Cardoso Peixoto ◽  
Cândida Maria Lima Aguiar
Keyword(s):  
Cavity Length ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
The Other ◽  
Pollination Service ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Trap Nests ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Tetrapedia Diversipes ◽  
Trap Nest ◽  
The Ideal

The ideal cavity dimensions for neotropical cavity-nesting bees with the potential to be managed as pollinators have not been getting proper attention. We investigated whether the occupancy of trap-nests by Centris analis Fabricius and Tetrapedia diversipes Klug, and other nesting aspects, are affected by different trap-nest length. The used trap-nests were cardboard tubes 5, 10, 15 and 20 cm in length, and Ø 8 mm. Occupation rates of 10-cm trap-nests by C. analis was higher than that of the 5-cm ones (χ2=11.17, gl=1, p<0.001). On the other hand, there was not difference between the occupation rates of 10 and 15-cm long trap-nests (χ2=0.51, gl=1, p=0.48), and between the ones measuring 15 and 20 cm long (χ2=1.36, gl=1, p=0.24). T. diversipes occupied a smaller number of 5-cm trap-nests than the 10-cm ones (χ2=1.52, gl=1, p=0.22), as well as that the 15-cm ones were more occupied than the 10-cm trap-nests (χ2=4.23, gl=1, p=0.04); moreover, there was not difference between the occupation of 15 and 20-cm trap-nests (χ2=0.28, gl=1, p=0.59). Both species showed higher rates of dead immatures in nests set in the shortest trap-nests, whereas these mortality rates were lower in the longest ones. By taking into consideration that there was not significant difference in many of the assessed parameters in comparison to values recorded for 15 and 20-cm long trap-nests, it seems likely to recommend the adoption of 10-cm long trap-nests for C. analis reproduction in agricultural sites that depend on the pollination service provided by this bees species.

Effect of shading on trap nest utilization by hole-nesting aculeate Hymenoptera

2004 ◽  
Vol 136 (6) ◽  
pp. 889-891 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hisatomo Taki ◽  
Jeffrey W. Boone ◽  
Blandina F. Viana ◽  
Fabiana O. Silva ◽  
Peter G. Kevan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Experimental Study ◽  
Environmental Assessment ◽  
Natural Enemies ◽  
Solitary Bees ◽  
Trap Nests ◽  
Tree Holes ◽  
Trap Nest

For many years, trap nests have been used to study hole-nesting bees and wasps (aculeate Hymenoptera) and to monitor their diversity and abundance (Krombein 1967; Danks 1971; Godfrey and Hilton 1983; Frankie et al. 1998). Trap nests are valuable for environmental assessment (Tscharntke et al. 1998) and for agriculture through improved pollination by bees (Bosch 1994; Stubbs et al. 1997; Hallett 2001) and biological control by wasps (Harris 1994). Frankie et al. (1988) indicated that shaded environments might be preferred habitats for some solitary bees that use tree holes for nesting. Shading could offer protection from natural enemies as well as wind, rain, and sunlight, resulting in stabilized humidity and temperature. As far as we are aware, ours is the first experimental study to consider the effect of shading of trap nests.

scholarly journals What do we know about Neotropical trap‑nesting bees? Synopsis about their nest biology and taxonomy

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 ◽  
pp. e20195926 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camila Cristina Ferreira da Costa ◽  
Rodrigo Barbosa Gonçalves
Keyword(s):  
Construction Material ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Neotropical Region ◽  
Nest Architecture ◽  
Nesting Biology ◽  
Specific Level ◽  
Trap Nests ◽  
Bee Conservation ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Trap Nest

Cavity-nesting bees are enigmatic because they are difficult to observe in the wild, hence trap-nests (man-made cavities) provide the means by which these bees may be studied. Trap-nests is an efficient methodology to study these bees and are common worldwide. These traps have been used for a variety of reasons, including inventories, to examine pollen load, to study habitat disturbance, and bee conservation. However Neotropical trap-nesting bees’ taxonomy and biology are still poorly known and here we provide a review about these subjects. We searched for trap-nest bee studies in the Neotropical Region using Google Scholar and ISI Web of Science at any time in the past to December 2017. We found 109 independent studies, most of which were from Brazil (87 studies), followed by Argentina (10 studies), and other countries had fewer than five studies each. A total of 140 species, 24 genera, 10 tribes and three subfamilies were reported in trap-nests. Nest architecture was described for only 49 species. Taxonomy is only well-known for 14 genera, somewhat known for seven and is essentially unavailable for three genera. Construction material, closing plug and cell shape are similar among species in the same tribes and genera. Vestibular and intercalary cells, and the preliminary plug are variable, even at the specific level. Apinae is the most studied group with available data for all genera recorded in trap-nests. Colletinae is the least-studied group and nothing is known for their nesting biology. Megachilinae is intermediate, with some studies of taxonomy and nesting. We suggest that further trap-nest studies should provide more detailed information on nest architecture and construction materials, including explicit mention of structures that are absent. All Neotropical bees need more taxonomic studies, but some, such as Hylaeus and Megachile, require more attention since Hylaeus is essentially unknown and Megachile is very common on trap-nests.

scholarly journals Coevolution between Himalayan cuckoos and two sympatric Pycnonotidae hosts

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Canchao Yang ◽  
Qihong Li ◽  
Tongping Su ◽  
Anders Pape Møller ◽  
Wei Liang
Keyword(s):  
Site Selection ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Nest Defense ◽  
Egg Rejection ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Interspecific Differences ◽  
Parasitism Rates ◽  
Alternative Responses ◽  
Nest Height

Abstract Selection due to cuckoo parasitism is responsible for the evolution of anti-parasitism defenses in hosts. Different host species breeding sympatrically with a single parasitic cuckoo may evolve different strategies to reduce the risk or counter cuckoo parasitism, resulting in different interactions between cuckoos and hosts in areas of sympatry. Here, we studied the coevolutionary interactions between Himalayan cuckoos Cuculus saturatus and two sympatric and closely related potential hosts belonging to the family Pycnonotidae, the brown-breasted bulbul Cuculus saturatus and the collared finchbill Spizixos semitorques. We investigated parasitism rates and nest site selection (nest height, nest cover, human disturbance, perch height, forest distance, and degree of concealment) related to parasitism risk, nest defense against a cuckoo dummy, and egg rejection against cuckoo model eggs. Bulbuls used specific nest sites that were further away from forests than those of finchbills, and they behaved more aggressively toward cuckoos than finchbills. In contrast, bulbuls possessed moderate egg rejection ability, while the finchbill rejected 100% of cuckoo model eggs. We suggest that selection of a nest site away from forests by the bulbul explains the absence of parasitism by Himalayan cuckoos. We suggest that these interspecific differences in nest site selection and nest defense indicate alternative responses to selection due to cuckoos.

scholarly journals The Cavity-Nesting Bee Guild (Apoidea) in a Neotropical Sandy Coastal Plain

Sociobiology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 706 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Oliveira Rebouças ◽  
Cândida Aguiar ◽  
Vinina Ferreira ◽  
Geni Sodré ◽  
Carlos Carvalho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Abundant Species ◽  
Similar Rate ◽  
Artificial Substrates ◽  
Cultivated Plants ◽  
Offspring Sex Ratio ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Trap Nests ◽  
Nesting Sites ◽  
Nesting Activity ◽  
Offspring Mortality

Some solitary bees establish their nests in preexisting cavities. Such nesting behavior facilitates the investigation of their life history, as well as the monitoring of their populations in natural, semi-natural and cropped habitats. This study aimed to evaluate the acceptance of artificial substrates by cavity-nesting bees in a heterogeneous landscape. We investigated the percentage of occupation of the different trap-nests, the monthly fluctuations in the nesting activity, offspring sex ratio, mortality and parasitism, in two phytophysiognomies: herbaceous-shrub restinga (site 1) and arboreal restinga (site 2). We used as trap-nests, bamboo canes, large and small straws of cardboard inserted into solid wooden blocks. Five bee species established 193 nests, from which 386 adults emerged. Centris tarsata Smith was the most abundant species. Large straws were signifi cantly more occupied than small straws (χ² = 19.951; df = 1; p < 0.0001). Offspring mortality rate for unknown reasons was signifi cant diff erent between sites, 11% (site 1) and 20% (site 2) (χ² = 4.203; df = 1; p = 0.04). The cavity-nesting bee guild had similar composition in both phytophysiognomies, there was a similar rate of occupation of trap-nests in both sites, as well as dominance of C. tarsata nests. Offspring mortality and parasites attack rates seem to be the more distinctive aspects between the herbaceous shrub and arboreal restinga sampled. Our study indicated that remnant fragments of coastal native habitats may be important nesting sites for the maintenance of bee populations, some of which have been indicated as candidates for management as pollinators of cultivated plants in Brazil.

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