Nesting biology, flower preferences, and larval morphology of the little-known old world bee ochreriades fasciatus (Apoidea: Megachilidae: Megachilinae)

Jerome G. Rozen, Gideon Pisanty, Vincent Trunz, Dimitri Bénon, Achik Dorchin, Christophe J. Praz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Herein we present information on the nesting behavior of Ochreriades fasciatus (Friese) found occupying beetle galleries in dead trunks and branches of certain trees and shrubs in Israel. We also describe the pre- and postdefecating larvae thereby making known the mature larva for this uncommon Old World genus. Females of O. fasciatus build linear nests in existing burrows in dead wood; depending on the length of the burrow, 1-5 cells are placed in one nest. The cell partitions are made of hardened mud, while the nest plug consists of pebbles fixed together with mud. Ochreriades fasciatus is oligolectic on Lamiaceae and probably strongly associated with the two related genera Ballota and Moluccella. It is hoped that information concerning its nesting biology, host-plant relationships, as well as larval development and anatomy will eventually prove valuable in determining the phylogenetic position of this genus relative to other megachiline bees.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-18
Number of pages18
JournalAmerican Museum Novitates
Volume2014-November
Issue number3830
DOIs
StatePublished - 21 Apr 2015

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Nesting biology, flower preferences, and larval morphology of the little-known old world bee ochreriades fasciatus (Apoidea: Megachilidae: Megachilinae)'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this