MACNBR   00242
MUSEO ARGENTINO DE CIENCIAS NATURALES "BERNARDINO RIVADAVIA"
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
artículos
Título:
Nest structure and notes on the social behavior of Augochlora amphitrite (Schrottky) (Hymenoptera: Halictidae).
Autor/es:
DALMAZZO, M. M.; ROIG ALSINA, A.
Revista:
JOURNAL OF HYMENOPTERA RESEARCH
Editorial:
INT SOC HYMENOPTERISTS
Referencias:
Año: 2012 vol. 26 p. 17 - 29
ISSN:
1070-9428
Resumen:
The nesting biology of Augochlora (Augochlora) amphitrite (Schrottky) in a natural reserve in the Province
of Buenos Aires, Argentina, is described. The species nests in decaying wood. Two types of nest architecture
were found, which differed according to the substrate where they were built, either soft or hard wood.
Nests in soft wood had the cells grouped in clusters surrounded by a cavity, and the clusters were supported
by a varying number of pillars. Nests constructed in decomposing portions of cracks in otherwise
hard wood had the cells constructed against the walls, without any pillars or surrounding cavity. Cells
of both types of nests were oriented in all directions, without any detectable pattern. Measurements and
characteristics of the nests are tabulated and compared to those known for other species of Augochlora s.
str. Behavioral observations of active nests are indicative of a social division of tasks in A. amphitrite. Such
observations include nests with several females, some of which were never observed outside the nests,
females with different degrees of wear and of ovary development, and at least one female that actively collected
pollen which had much worn mandibles and wings, and undeveloped ovaries, all characteristics of
the worker caste in social halictids.