Ocupação de ninhos-armadilha por abelhas e vespas solitárias (Hymenoptera, Aculeata)

Abstract

The present study aimed to analyze the occupation and acceptance of trap nests by solitary bees and wasps (Hymenoptera, Aculeata), as well as identify possible nesting preferences. The Experiment was carried out on the campus of the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Academic Unit of Serra Talhada, during the months of November 2022 to July 2023. Observations were carried out weekly, during eight months of sampling. To carry out the sampling, four cylindrical wooden blocks (CB) (n=100) were used, with cavities with diameters of 6 and 8mm. The CBs were made with high-density native wood (Astronium urundeuva (M.Allemão) Engl.), untreated. The results showed that 58 nests were founded during the study period. The nesting activity of solitary bees was higher than that of solitary wasps throughout the study period. There was a preference for occupying cavities with 6mm in diameter, ensured by a significant statistical difference (p<0.0001), when compared to occupying cavities with 8mm in diameter. Three types of materials used to close the end of the nests were identified, with clay being the least frequent material with 13.79% of the total nests, while resin was the second most used with 39.66%, followed by the aggregate of mixtures with resin, with the highest proportion 46.55%. The results indicated that the species that nested in the study area prefer narrower cavities. Furthermore, the present study highlights the uncertainty of the influence of the environment on the nesting activity of solitary species, and it is ideal to adopt caution when choosing the location for installing trap nests.