Search

Mourecotelles Toro & Cabezas (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Colletinae) currently includes only nine valid species of cellophane bees found mostly in relatively-dry regions of western South America (Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, and Ecuador). In this paper, we describe and illustrate a new species of the genus - M. braziliensis Ferrari & Melo, sp. nov. - based on individuals of both sexes captured through trap-nesting in an environmental protection area (Araucárias Municipal Natural Park) and in flowers in different localities in southern Brazil. In total, we obtained 16 nests of M. braziliensis, each consisting of two to eleven brood cells arranged horizontally and lined with a cellophane-like substance. Of the 57 adult bees that emerged, 41 were male (mean weight 46.5 mg) and 16 were female (mean weight 58.9 mg), resulting in biased sex and investment ratios of 2.56:1 and 2.02:1, respectively. Both the numbers of provisioned cells and mortality rate were higher for trap nests with the narrowest bore diameter, although the differences in relation to other trap nests were not statistically significant. Pollen of nine different plant families were found in brood cells of M. braziliensis, but the species showed a clear preference for Fabaceae and Polygalaceae. Indeed, some of the specimens were collected while foraging in flowers of an unidentified species of Monnina Ruiz & Pav. (Polygalaceae) growing in swampy areas. The evolutionary and biogeographical implications of our discovery are briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An aggregation of the oil-collecting bee Epicharis dejeanii Lepeletier was studied at Ilha das Flores, southern Brazil. Data on seasonality, types of floral resources collected, and nesting biology were registered. The nesting area occupied 120 m2 with density of up to 8 nests/m2. The tunnel entrances remained always open and surrounded by a tumulus. Adult activity lasted approximately 70 days. The females built the nest, provisioned food, and layed the egg in 4 days. The nest's architecture was very diverse, and they were between 40 and 140 cm in depth with one or two brood cells at the end of the tunnel. Diapause occurred in the postdefecating larval stage, and there was no cocoon. Immature stages and nest architecture are described and illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species,Arhysosage biguttulatasp. nov., is described and illustrated based on adult specimens collected in the Chaco region of Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. This new species can be distinguished by its coloration pattern, pilosity and integumental sculpture. Field observations have revealed several aspects of its life history, such as mating behaviour (similar to otherArhysosagespecies) and its association with the host plantOpuntiasp. (Cactaceae). In addition,Arhysosage flavais recorded for the first time in Brazil, and type-specimen photographs ofArhysosage cactorumMoure, 1999 andArhysosage melanothrichaMoure, 1999 are provided, along with taxonomic notes.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:4E7C7FF9-44C0-4D77-8C78-B4E0F9C4831F [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]