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Nesting biology of the oil-collecting bee Epicharis (Hoplepicharis) fasciata (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in an urban area of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

Biologia da nidificação da abelha coletora de óleo Epicharis (Hoplepicharis) fasciata (Hymenoptera: Apidae) em uma área urbana do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil

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.

KEYWORDS.
Anthophila; bionomy; Neotropical Region; nesting architecture; solitary bee

Museu de Ciências Naturais Museu de Ciências Naturais, Secretária do Meio Ambiente e Infraestrutura, Rua Dr. Salvador França, 1427, Jardim Botânico, 90690-000 - Porto Alegre - RS - Brasil, Tel.: + 55 51- 3320-2039 - Porto Alegre - RS - Brazil
E-mail: iheringia-zoo@fzb.rs.gov.br