Diversity of trap-nesting bees and their natural enemies in the Brazilian savanna

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the diversity of solitary bees nesting in pre-existing cavities (trap-nests) and their natural enemies in a neotropical savanna. The study was carried out in two savanna areas in the Triângulo Mineiro, Brazil, from February 2007 to September 2008. In both areas, trap-nests were introduced and inspected biweekly. Two hundred and seventy-eight nests were founded by eleven bee species. Centris analis (Fabricius 1804), Centris tarsata Smith 1874 and Tetrapedia curvitarsis Friese 1899 had the highest numbers of nests. Eight species of natural enemies were recorded, the most abundant being Physocephala bipunctata Macquart 1843 and Coelioxys sp. Information about the most abundant ground-nesting species and the trap-nest types used to attract them will be useful to maintain these bees in pre-established areas and to conserve them for applied pollination in neotropical savannas.