Nesting Preference, Nesting Biology and Associated Natural Enemies of Chalichadoma flavipes Spinola, 1838 (hymenoptera: Megachilidae)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v72i1.11251Keywords:
Chalichadoma, Nesting biology, Bee Conservation, Artificial nesting, PollinationAbstract
Bees of genus Chalichadoma is a diverse group with numerous species mainly present in the Mediterranean region. Most of these species are using mud for building their nests, while some species are cavity nesting using available holes in the nesting area. The present research was conducted during the years of 2020 and 2022, after the discovery of several natural nests in some villages around El Tal El Kebir and El Qassasin areas, 30.31N 31.48E (Eastern of Cairo). Several solitary bees species were found in the area but the most important species were Chalichadoma nigripes Spinola, 1838 and Chalichadoma flavipes Spinola, 1838, as well as several species of the genus Megachile. Meanwhile, the most abundant species were M. minutissima Radoszkowski, 1876 and M. patellimana Spinola, 1838. Few species of Osminii were also recorded specially Osmia submicans Morawitz, 1870. All nests were associated with several cleptoparasitic bees, parasitic wasps and predators such as beetle of the genus Trichodes sp. Several materials were examined to choose recommended material for artificial nesting. Wood material was the the most suitable material. The study has also highlighted some notes of the biology of Chalichadoma flavipes Spinola.
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