Nesting biology, seasonality and host range of sweat bee, Hoplonomia westwoodi (Gribodo) (Hymenoptera: Halictidae: Nomiinae)

Abstract

Nesting biology and Seasonal dynamics of Halictid bee, Hoplonomia westwoodi (Nomiinae: Halictidae) was studied at ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources (NBAIR) Bengaluru, Yelahanka Campus (13.096792N, 77.565976E) India from July 2016 to May 2017. The bee built subterranean nests on a leveled soil surface with turrets with main shaft running to a depth of 70.1 cm. In total, nineteen cells were observed in clusters at diferente depths. Different life stages of the bee were observed in the cells. The life cycle of the bee was completed in 41.80 days. The bees were found actively foraging on different flora belonging to the different families like Acanthaceae, Asteraceae, Convolvulaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Malpighiaceae, Polygonaceae, Rubiaceae and Solanceae throughout the year with the peak population during the months of June to November. Marked preference and behavior of buzz pollination was observed on the flowers of Solanaceous crops like tomato and eggplant.

Bioecology and Domiciliation of the Alkali Bee, Hoplonomia westwoodi (Gribodo, 1894) (Hymenoptera: Halictidae: Nomiinae) from India

“…Among the different substrates, the most preferred was Red soil + FYM (1:1) followed by Red soil +Sand +FYM (2:1:1). Similar observations on artificial nesting structures for H. westwoodi were recorded by Udayakumar and Shivalingaswamy (2018). They found active nesting structures for H. westwoodi to be polypropylene bags (30x30 cm) and earthen flower pots (60x30 cm) filled with soil.…”

“…Foraging activity H. westwoodi was found broadly polylectic, actively foraging on a flora belonging to different plant families. The peak population is reached from June to November (Udayakumar & Shivalingaswamy, 2018). However, the peak nesting activity was recorded from February to July.…”

“…The genus Hoplonomia Ashmead, mostly Oriental in distribution (Ascher & Pickering, 2021), is represented by at least five species in India. Hoplonomia westwoodi (Gribodo, 1894) is a common species of southern India, recorded as an important pollinator of many cultivated crops (Udayakumar and Shivalingaswamy, 2018). To utilize this species for enhancing pollination in cultivated crops, it is essential to understand its nesting behavior, foraging preferences, and artificial nesting sites.…”