Abstract
ABSTRACT Nests of the oil-collecting bee Epicharis (Hoplepicharis) fasciata Lepeletier & Serville, 1828 were studied at the Jardim Botânico of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The females constructed their nests in an area of 609 m2 of mostly sandy flat soil. The nest architecture was relatively simple, with a main tunnel of approximately 30 cm in depth with one or two lateral tunnels ending in a single brood cell. Adult activity lasted approximately 45 days. The females dug the tunnels, constructed the brood cells, collected provisions and laid the eggs in approximately two days. Diapause occurred in the post defecating larval stage, and there was no cocoon. Nest architecture and the morphology of the brood cells are described and illustrated.
Highlights
Nests of the oil-collecting bee Epicharis (Hoplepicharis) fasciata Lepeletier & Serville, 1828 were studied at the Jardim Botânico of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Despite the fact that those species are frequently found in museum collections, little is known about their bionomy, especially about their nesting habits
This paper presents the results obtained from a study of nests of E. fasciata, providing information about the construction process, the nest architecture, the number of brood cells per nest, the appearance of the food, and the presence or absence of cocoon, among others relevant data on the biology of this species
Summary
Nests of the oil-collecting bee Epicharis (Hoplepicharis) fasciata Lepeletier & Serville, 1828 were studied at the Jardim Botânico of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The females constructed their nests in an area of 609 m2 of mostly sandy flat soil. Ninhos da abelha coletora de óleo Epicharis (Hoplepicharis) fasciata Lepeletier & Serville, 1828 foram estudados no Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. This paper presents the results obtained from a study of nests of E. fasciata, providing information about the construction process, the nest architecture, the number of brood cells per nest, the appearance of the food, and the presence or absence of cocoon, among others relevant data on the biology of this species
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