Nesting biology of the solitary bee Epicharis albofasciata (Apoidea, Apidae, Centridini). (American Museum novitates, no. 3869)

Abstract

This paper describes the extensive nesting site and the nesting behavior of a large population of the solitary, ground-nesting bee Epicharis (Epicharoides) albofasciata Smith, found in Trinidad in association with its cleptoparasite Mesoplia (Mesoplia) rufipes (Perty). In addition to describing nests and their cells, it provides information about provisioning, egg deposition, and larval eclosion.