Brood development and nest parasitism of Xylocopa (Neoxylocopa) augusti Lepeletier (Hymenoptera: Apidae), a promising crop pollinator in Argentina

Abstract

Pollination of passion fruit and other crops by species of carpenter bees of the genus Xylocopa Latreille significantly increases both the quality and the quantity of fruits. To enhance pollination services, bee nests are either introduced into the crop area or females are encouraged to nest using trap nests. Thus, knowledge of trap-nest preference, brood development and nest parasitism is essential for effective and sustainable nest management practices. Xylocopa (Neoxylocopa) augusti Lepeletier is a promising pollinator in some areas of Argentina because of its high abundance, ability to buzz-pollinate and easy acceptance of trap nests. However, limited information is available on the biology of this pollinator. Herein, we provide detailed information on its nesting cycle, brood development and parasitism from trap nests at an urban area in Buenos Aires province, Argentina. Our study indicates that X. augusti is a solitary and likely univoltine species that shares some nesting and developmental features with other species in the subgenus Neoxylocopa, which might facilitate the adoption of existing management techniques developed for other species and regions. Biological information on Physocephala wulpi Camras (Diptera: Conopidae), a parasitoid of X. augusti, is also given for the first time.