Nesting biology of the bee Ashmeadiella holtii and its cleptoparasite, a new species of Stelis (Apoidea, Megachilidae). American Museum novitates ; no. 2900

Abstract

"The nesting biology of Ashmeadiella (Chilosima) holtii Cockerell is described including: features of nesting site; nest architecture; provisions; and some aspects of development. Unlike other known species in the genus, holtii nests in the ground as did a female of A. (Ashmeadiella) leucozona Cockerell at the same time. A new species of Stelis parasitized nests of A. holtii. It is described and named elongativentris, new species, in an appendix by Frank D. Parker. Its biology is presented including: searching behavior of female; oviposition; larval feeding habits; larval host searching behavior; defecation; and cocoon spinning. First- and last-stage larvae are described taxonomically and compared with other known larvae of kleptoparasitic Anthidiini"--P. [1].