The natural history of the Old World nomadine parasitic bee Pasites maculatus (Anthophoridae, Nomadinae) and its host Pseudapis diversipes (Halictidae, Nomiinae). American Museum novitates ; no. 2861

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Date

1986

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

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Publisher

New York, N.Y. : American Museum of Natural History

DOI

DOI

Abstract

"In nests of Pseudapis diversipes in Pakistan, a series of branching tunnels surrounded vertical cells clustered close to one another in the ground. Information on the tunnel and cell walls, cell size, eggs, and provisions is given. The cuckoo bee Pasites maculatus flew around the nest entrances; its eggs and first instars were recovered from host cells. Information on oviposition and egg size and structure is presented. The first instar had large sickle-shaped mandibles used to eliminate the host larva (or egg) and rival cuckoo bee larvae, as is the case with other nomadine parasitic bees. Pasites (Old World) and Oreopasites (New World) both deposit eggs that are folded into a U as they are inserted into the cell wall. This form of oviposition, a unique feature of the Apoidea, suggests a close relationship between the two genera"--P. [1].

Description

8 p. : ill. ; 26 cm.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 8).

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