Nest preference and ecology of cavity-nesting bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) in Punjab, Pakistan

The native snail shell–nesting beeOsmia conjuncta(Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) exploits a local abundance of exoticCepaeasnails (Stylommatophora: Helicidae), choosing empty shells by size, colour, and microhabitat

“…2004; MacIvor 2016; Rauf et al. 2022). Cavity size has been shown to affect nesting likelihood: because brood cells that fit tightly prevent the entry of parasites (MacIvor 2016), cavity size may be of greater importance to O. conjuncta , because no plugs were observed at the nest entrance in the present study (unpublished data).…”

“…Osmia conjuncta chose shells from within a 4-mm size range; although the empty shells ranged from 3 to 20 mm in height, 94.5% of shells containing O. conjuncta cocoons were between 14 and 17 mm in height, indicating that these bees may strongly prefer shells of intermediate size and that they largely avoid shells outside this range. Preferences in nesting are observed in other Osmia species that nest in stem or wood cavities; that is, they select nesting sites based on visual cues outside the nest (Loukola et al 2020) or on nest entrance size (Budriene et al 2004;MacIvor 2016;Rauf et al 2022). Cavity size has been shown to affect nesting likelihood: because brood cells that fit tightly prevent the entry of parasites (MacIvor 2016), cavity size may be of greater importance to O. conjuncta, because no plugs were observed at the nest entrance in the present study (unpublished data).…”

First report of a nest of Ceratina (Ceratinula) fioreseana Oliveira (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

“…However, Mikát et al (2021) used sheaves of cut twigs attached to rods and fixed to the ground as artificial substrates for Ceratina (Euceratina) nigrolabiata Friese, 1896 in Czechia. Rauf et al (2022) obtained nests of Ceratina (Pithitis) smaragdula (Fabricius, 1787) built in bamboo canes, a cardboard tube and a log of Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. (Rhamnaceae) in Pakistan.…”

“…Females nest in pithy twigs or dead branches where they excavate a burrow and construct unlined brood cells (Michener, 2007). Despite the high diversity found in the Neotropical region, more than 100 species recorded (Moure & Melo, 2022), most of the studies on the nest biology of Ceratina species were conducted in Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America (Sakagami & Maeta, 1987;Malaipan & Orostrirat, 1992;Maeta & Sakagami, 1995;Rehan et al, 2009;Rehan & Richards, 2010;Vickruck et al, 2011;Ali et al, 2016;Kaliaperumal, 2019;Mikát et al, 2019;Udayakumar & Shivalingaswamy, 2019;Mikát et al, 2021Mikát et al, , 2022Oppenheimer & Rehan, 2021;Rauf et al, 2022). In contrast, the information on nests of Neotropical Ceratina species is still scarce (Schrottky, 1914;Michener & Eickwort, 1966;Sakagami & Laroca, 1971;Gonzalez et al, 2004;Rehan et al, 2015).…”

Buzzing Opportunities: Integrating Apitourism for Enriching the Tourism Heritage of the Republic of Benin

“…Regarding the solitary bee species, they may be observed from their nests, which may also be installed in association with the Melipona nests. These nests are made up of pipes, stacked in specific cages or galleries of varying diameters, which are drilled into wooden planks and placed in the bee hotel (Rauf et al, 2022). Many Hymenoptera species, such as wasps, are associated with bee hotels, and some of them may be aggressive with dangerous and allergenic stings (Steiner 1986;Schmidt et al, 1983).…”