Early Nesting Biology of the Wood-Nesting Adventive Bee,Lithurgus chrysurusFonscolombe (Apoidea: Megachilidae: Lithurginae)

Abstract

This, the second study of the nesting biology of Lithurgus chrysurus Fonscolombe found at Palmerton, Carbon Co., Pennsylvania, describes its nest construction, provisioning, egg deposition, and larval development. The first study (rozen, 2013) was based on observations on the late-stage nesting biology in early fall, when these activities were no longer being performed. Comparisons are made with activities of the native Lithurgopsis apicalis (Cresson); in general, the two species have similar, but not identical, nesting biologies. Because Lithurgus chrysurus is an adventive bee native to the Mediterranean regions and is capable of constructing nests in both soft wood as well as firmer wood, it is unclear why it has not expanded its range to any great extent in the new World.

Polarization Microscopy and Topochemistry of the Cocoon ofLithurgus chrysurus(Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)

“…Although thought to have become extinct afterward, its recent discovery so close to the original site is likely an indication that it has remained undetected during the last 35 yr. In addition to Robert's original description of its nesting biology and immature stages, these matters have also been treated in several recent papers (Rozen 2013, Rozen and Hall 2014, Rozen and Wyman 2014 based primarily on specimens found at the Pennsylvania site.…”

Positive and Negative Impacts of Non-Native Bee Species around the World

“…However, there is little empirical evidence that these non-native bees compete for floral resources and there is empirical evidence demonstrating a lack competition in several cases (Table 2). There only seems to be evidence for nesting competition with native species in the genus Megachile and the potential economic negative of damage to buildings has only been hypothetically recorded for Lithurgus chrysurus [71,72], though some other wood boring species may also have this potential. There is no empirical support for the potential of these non- Apis/Bombus species to degrade pollination networks or to negatively affect the pollination of native plant species, but there is some concern in the literature that several species will have this effect, particularly on islands [26].…”