Nest architecture and life cycle of Small Carpenter bee, Ceratina binghami Cockerell (Xylocopinae: Apidae: Hymenoptera)

Abstract

The small carpenter bee, Ceratina binghami (Xylocopinae: Apidae) is an important pollinator of many agricultural and horticultural crops. The nests constructed by the bee in the pruned pithy stems of Caesalpinia pulcherrima were collected to study its biology under laboratory conditions. The bee constructs its nest in the pithy stems of different plants by chewing out the pith. The bee is polylectic and provision with pollen balls to its brood cells with an interesting nest guarding behavior. The nests consisted of egg, larvae, prepupae, pupae and adult stages. Life cycle of the bee was completed in 41.67 ± 3.12 days. Pupal stage consisted of different colors of eye pigmentation. Foraging activity of the bee started during morning hours approximately between 6.45 to 7.15 am and ended during the late evening hours of 4.50 to 5.15 pm. Detailed nest architecture of the bee was studied. The nesting behavior and short life cycle of C. binghami in pithy stems of C. pulcherrima helps in the in-situ conservation and utilization of these bees in the pollination of agricultural crops.