Nesting behavior and ecological preferences of five Diphaglossinae

LAURA C. SARZETTI; JORGE F. GENISE; M. VICTORIA SÁNCHEZ; JUAN L. FARINA; M. ALEJANDRA MOLINA

JOURNAL OF HYMENOPTERA RESEARCH

INT SOC HYMENOPTERISTS

Lugar: Sofía; Año: 2013 p. 63 - 82

1070-9428

The nest architecture of Cadeguala albopilosa, Diphaglossa gayi, Ptiloglossa tarsata, Ptiloglossa matutina and a Zikanapis tucumana (Colletidae, Diphaglossinae) from Argentina and Chile is similar to other Diphaglossinae. Nests comprise a main tunnel, cells disposed radially, isolated or in pair, and connected to the main tunnel by laterals ones. Main tunnels are mostly vertical in species nesting in soil surface and horizontal to inclined in D. gayi, wich nests in banks. Cells are vertical with curved necks. The cells of C.albopilosa shows the neck less curved (less than 90°), whereas in the remaining four species the cell neck is highly curved (90° or more). Cells of P. tarsata showed a spiral earthern closure, whereas those of P. matutina a wad of cotton-like material.Cocoons of C. albopilosa are coriaceous showing a closure composed of three disks. Z. tucumana and possibly P. matutina showed dim-ligth foraging. The remaining species are diurnal. The climate in their nesting sites is highly diverse, ranging from 8°C to 20°C in MAT, and from 250 mm to 3000 mm in MAP. Types of soil choosen for nesting range from clayish to sandy. Only C. albopilosa and, to a lesser extent, Z. tucumana showed nesting aggregations. Z. tucumana and  P. tarsata were observed visiting flowers of Solanum.