Primitively Eusocial Behavior Observed in Colonies of Augochlora amphitrite (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) Reared in Laboratory

Authors

  • Milagros Dalmazzo Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL). Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias (FHUC). Departamento de Ciencias Naturales. Cátedra de Entomología.
  • Arturo Roig-Alsina Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET). Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales (MACN) "Bernardino Rivadavia".

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v65i4.3484

Keywords:

Artificial nests, social interactions, wild bees, Augochlorini

Abstract

The present study provides evidence of primitively eusocial behavior in Augochlora amphitrite (Schrottky). Bees were reared in laboratory nests and observed throughout their nesting cycle. Introduced foundresses constructed nests solitarily, but upon the emergence of the first daughter their activities changed drastically, marking the onset of a social phase. The colonies presented two well defined female castes according to their physiology, size and behavior. Foundresses monopolized oviposition, displayed low rates of nest construction, guarding, and pollen collection, they were the individuals that initiated social interactions, and were statistically larger. Daughter bees were smaller, with undeveloped ovaries, performed most tasks at the nest and were the subordinate individuals in social interactions.

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References

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Published

2018-10-11

How to Cite

Dalmazzo, M., & Roig-Alsina, A. (2018). Primitively Eusocial Behavior Observed in Colonies of Augochlora amphitrite (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) Reared in Laboratory. Sociobiology, 65(4), 773–776. https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v65i4.3484

Issue

Vol. 65 No. 4 (2018)

Section

Short Note

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