Nest Switching and Guarding by the Communal Sweat Bee Agapostemon Virescens (Hymenoptera, Halictidae)

Authors

Judith Abrams, Cornell University
George C. Eickwort, Cornell University

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Insectes Sociaux

Volume

28

Issue

2

Publication Date

1-1-1981

First Page

105

Last Page

116

Abstract

In a nest aggregation of the univoltine sweat bee Agapostemon virescens in New York State, U.S.A., 58 % of the adult females switched nests during their adult lives. Continuous guarding protected communal nests against the cleptoparasitic bee Nomada articulata which successfully attacked nests occupied by solitary females. All females were egg layers and foraged for pollen at least occasionally. At the end of the foraging season, some nestmates usually acted as guards while others usually foraged.

Recommended Citation

Abrams, Judith and Eickwort, George C., "Nest Switching and Guarding by the Communal Sweat Bee Agapostemon Virescens (Hymenoptera, Halictidae)" (1981). A. Paper 5.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/bee_lab_a/5