A study of the biology of Epicharis (Epicharoides) picta using emergence-traps

Abstract

This study investigates the nesting habits of Epicharis picta in a nest aggregation located in a fragment of the Atlantic forest in Southeastern Brazil. Ten emergence-traps were set up in this nest aggregation to standardize data collection of phenology, natural enemies, and sex ratio. Epicharis picta nests were in an area of 160 m² with a density of 41 nests/m². Nest and cell architecture are described. Epicharis picta is a protandrous, univoltine species with its emergence in this study occurring between 28 January and 15 April. We provide direct evidence of parasitism on E. picta by Rhathymus friesei, Tetraonyx sexguttata and T. aff. lycoides. The predator Apiomerus lanipes was found to prey Epicharis for the first time. We suggest the use of emergence-traps as tools to support studies of ground-nesting bees. In addition, we compile, update, and discuss data on the nesting biology of all Epicharis subgenera.

Methods for interpreting emergence trap specimen data for the study of ground nesting bees (Hymenoptera: Anthophila)

“…Ground nesting bees are notoriously difficult to study, and in recent years, emergence traps have become a popular method used to study them. Emergence traps (also known as emergence tents, soil emergence tents, e-traps, or e-tents) generally consist of a tent placed over the ground attached to a container that catches bees or other insects as they emerge from the ground (Antonini et al 2003, Sardiñas andKremen 2014), though other designs, such as traps made from boxes, mesh, or wire cages have also been used (Southwood and Siddorn 1965, Hiller and Wittmann 1994, Eardley et al 2010, da Rocha-Filho and Melo 2017, Werneck and Campos 2020. Emergence traps are an attractive method because they can provide more robust data on the nesting resources used by bees as they can directly sample nesting bees.…”