Document Type
Article
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington
Volume
96
Issue
1
Publication Date
1-1-1994
First Page
98
Last Page
119
Abstract
The vernal, univoltine solitary Japanese bee, Anthophora pilipes villosula, promises to be a worthy addition to our pollinator fauna. It was easily maintained in inexpensive, portable adobe blocks. It is gentle, forages during inclement weather, also from before dawn until after dusk in fine weather. It is polylectic, does not steal nectar, flies rapidly, forages to 500 m, visits numerous flowers including blueberry and apple, and sonicates. Its active period coincides well with spring fruit blossom in the temperate zone. Females may make several nests, learning new nest locations. Dormant nests in adobe blocks were kept outdoors through five years in Maryland with minimal insulation, and the population approximately tripled each year. Details are provided regarding its behavior in Japan and Maryland, including phenology in relation to crops, wild plants and other bees, hosts, foraging behavior, effects of weather, management, substrate and nesting behavior, territorial behavior of males and mating.
Recommended Citation
Batra, Suzanne W. T., "Anthophora Pilipes Villosula Sm. (Hymenoptera: Anthophoridae), A Manageable Japanese Bee That Visits Blueberries and Apples During Cool, Rainy, Spring Weather" (1994). Ba. Paper 109.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/bee_lab_ba/109