Nesting biologies of oxaeine bees.

31 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 26 cm. "Appendix: Postdefecating larva of the cleptoparasitic bees Thalestria spinosa (Fabricius) and Triepeolus kathrynae Rozen (Apidae, Nomadinae, Epeolini)": pages 28-31.This study encompasses a number of field encounters by the author and others with nests of representatives of three of the four genera of the little-known New World andrenid subfamily Oxaeinae. Species treated include Protoxaea gloriosa Fox, Oxaea flavescens Klug, O. austera Gerstaecker, and Mesoxaea nigerrima (Friese), leaving the nesting biology of only the monotypic genus Notoxaea completely unknown. Nests, all subterranean, are described and diaƠgrammed, and each is reported to consist of a moderately to very deep main burrow with vertical cells occurring at the lower end attached to the main burrow by subhorizontal lateral tunnels, each of which is closed immediately after egg deposition. To the extent known, eggs, mature larvae, and pupae are described. Two known cleptoparasites of the subfamily are reported: Triepeolus kathrynae Rozen, hosted by P. gloriosa, and Thalestria spinosa (Fabricius) (= T. smaragdina Smith), which attacks nests of both O. flavescens and O. austera. The mature larvae of these cleptoparasitic Nomadinae are described and illustrated as an appendix

Centris bicornuta and Epicharis albofasciata.

20 pages : illustrations ; 26 cm.This paper presents detailed comparative descriptions of the mature larvae and eggs of Centris (Heterocentris) bicornuta Mocsáry and Epicharis (Epicharoides) albofasciata Smith as representatives of two genera that are closely related. It strongly suggests that both species, while developing, pass through five larval instars; because the first instar remains mostly pharate within the chorion, it is only as a second instar that it begins to consume provisions and increase in size. There follows an account of how each species changes in functional anatomy from one instar to the next and how each instar of one species compares with the same instar of the other. In response to a recently published paper (Martins and Melo, 2016), which suggested that the tribe Centridini may be polyphyletic because some taxa within Centris share features with corbiculate genera, it is pointed out that all corbiculate genera uniquely share an apomorphy: they bear small paired, elevated, finely setose, sclerotized, and usually pigmented apical tubercles on the thoracic segments of mature larvae. Such thoracic tubercles are unknown in the Centridini or elsewhere among bees

Solitary bee Epicharis albofasciata.

8 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 26 cm.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

Pupae of Nitidulidae

13 p. : ill. ; 24 cm.Includes bibliographical references (p. 13)

Panurgine bees

16 p. : ill. ; 24 cm.Includes bibliographical references (p. 14)

Eggs of cleptoparasitic bees

36 p. : ill. ; 26 cm.Includes bibliographical references (p. 32-34).The shapes, sizes, and chorionic ornamentation of mature oocytes/eggs are described along with ovariole and mature oocyte numbers of six lineages of primarily South American cleptoparasitic bees. This information is related to whether the eggs are introduced into brood chambers that are still open and being provisioned by the host female or whether the chambers have already been closed by the host females. The lineages, all in the Apidae, are as follows: (1) Kelita (Nomadinae: Brachynomadini), (2) Isepeolus and Melectoides (Apinae: Isepeolini), (3) Leiopodus (Apinae: Protepeolini), (4) Rhathymus (Apinae: Rhathymini), (5) Mesoplia and Epiclopus (Apinae: Ericrocidini), and (6) Exaerete (Apinae: Euglossini). A table in the section on Discussion and Analyses summarizes information on mature oocyte/egg size (egg index), total number of mature oocytes, mature oocytes per ovariole, and ovariole number (ovariole formula) for all taxa of cleptoparasites, worldwide, that have been studied to date. It shows that almost all of the Nomadinae have more than the plesiomorphic number of ovarioles, a feature also found in two of the three studied genera of the Ericrocidini. All other cleptoparasitic lineages lack extra ovarioles. The potential selective advantage of extra ovarioles is discussed. Also discussed is whether the large number of mature oocytes carried by cleptoparasites might result, in part, from the length of time required for chorion deposition after the oocytes reach maturity. The table shows not only that the mature oocytes/eggs of cleptoparasitic bees in general tend to be smaller than those of solitary bees, but that the mature oocytes/eggs of those cleptoparasites that hide their eggs in open host brood cells are significantly smaller than those that introduce their eggs into cells that have been closed by the host. The potential selective advantages of small egg size in cleptoparasitism are explored. Lastly, the unusual modified shapes of mature oocytes/eggs and the thick chorions of cleptoparasites that oviposit in open host cells are attributed to ways of protecting the eggs from discovery and damage by returning host females. Appended is a scanning electron micrograph of the micropyle of the North American Stelis elongativentris Parker (Megachilidae: Anthidiini), the ovariole and oocyte statistics of which have been published earlier. Also appended are a description and illustrations of the oocyte of Coelioxys novomexicana Cockerell (Megachilidae: Megachilini)

Lithurgine bees

14 p. : ill. ; 24 cm.Includes bibliographical references (p. 13-14)."Mature larvae of Lithurge, sensu stricto, Lithurge (Lithurgopsis), and Trichothurgus are described as is the pupal exuviae of Trichothurgus. An account is given of the nests of Trichothurgus dubius. The mature larvae of the Lithurginae are quite homogeneous and are very similar to those of the other megachilid subfamily, the Megachilinae. Appended is a taxonomic description of the Megachilidae and comparative taxonomic description of the Fideliidae; both descriptions are based on the mature larvae"--P. [1]

Moroccan panurgine bees

37 p. : ill. ; 24 cm.Includes bibliographical references (p. 36-37)."The present paper, which is intended to shed light on the phylogeny and systematics of the bees belonging to the subfamily Panurginae, treats the biology and immature stages of three genera found in Morocco: Panurgus, Panurginus, and Melitturga. (1) Observations on the environment of the nesting site, flower relationships, nest structure, provisioning, oviposition, development, adult activity, and parasitism by cuckoo bees are presented; comparisons are made with panurgines from other parts of the world. (2) The mature larvae of the three genera are described and contrasted with those of other panurgines. (3) Pupae of panurgus and panurginus are described. (4) Appended is a description of a new species, Panurgus intermedius"--P. 36

Spinoliella, Callonychium, and Arhysosage including biological notes, and a larval key to calliopsine genera (Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Andrenidae, Panurginae).

27 pages : illustrations ; 26 cm.The known mature larvae of andrenid genera Spinoliella, Callonychium, and Arhysosage are described and compared with one another and with those of other Calliopsini. On the basis of both larval and adult anatomy, these three genera represent a distinctive clade, the "Spinoliella clade." The larvae are characterized by conspicuously enlarged and oddly shaped, paired dorsal tubercles on the pro- and mesothorax, while the paired dorsal tubercles of most other body segments are erect, elongate, and slender. All dorsal tubercles bear fine setae. The larvae were collected on field trips to South America over a 35 year period. Associated field notes are reported, treating information on nesting ecology, nest structure and dimensions, provisions, larval behavior, associated cleptoparasites, and mating behavior. Also presented is a preliminary taxonomic key to the genera of Calliopsini based on mature larvae

Biology and immature stages of the bee genus Meganomia (Hymenoptera, Melittidae). American Museum novitates ; no. 2630

14 p. : ill. ; 26 cm.Includes bibliographical references (p. 14)."The hibernating, postdefecating larva and pupa of Meganomia binghami (Cockerell) are described and compared with similar stages of other melittid bees. Biological information on this species and on an undescribed species of Meganomia includes the following information: nest ecology, nest configuration and structure, provisioning, development, number of generations a year, mating, sound production and daily activity of adults. The placement of the genus in the Melittidae cannot be evaluated on the basis of larvae because the numerous similarities shared by Meganomia, Melitta, and Macropis are symplesiomorphic. However, there are no larval characteristics that would exclude Meganomia from the family. Cladistic analysis of features of the mature larva indicates that Meganomia is a sister group to all other melittids whose immaturites are known"--p. [1]