Inverse density-dependent and density-independent parasitism in a solitary ground-nesting bee in Southeast Brazil
Abstract
Aspects of the population dynamics of a solitary ground-nesting oligolectic
bee, Diadasina distincta (Holmberg 1903) (Hymenoptera Anthophoridae), were
studied in relation to the number of parasitized nests in aggregations of different
sizes. Inversely density-dependent parasitism by bombyliid flies and densityindependent
mortality by fungi together explained most of the variation in population
size. There was a significant negative correlation between the number of
nests in an aggregation and parasitism by bombyliid flies. Bombyliids accounted
for 19.4% of mortality and two fungal species for an additional 19%. It is
hypothesized that male patrolling in larger aggregations accounted for lower
parasitism rates by bombyliid flies.
KEY WORDS: solitary bee, Diadasina distincta, Anthrax sp., nest aggregation, parasitism,
mortality, bombyliid flies, fungi.
bee, Diadasina distincta (Holmberg 1903) (Hymenoptera Anthophoridae), were
studied in relation to the number of parasitized nests in aggregations of different
sizes. Inversely density-dependent parasitism by bombyliid flies and densityindependent
mortality by fungi together explained most of the variation in population
size. There was a significant negative correlation between the number of
nests in an aggregation and parasitism by bombyliid flies. Bombyliids accounted
for 19.4% of mortality and two fungal species for an additional 19%. It is
hypothesized that male patrolling in larger aggregations accounted for lower
parasitism rates by bombyliid flies.
KEY WORDS: solitary bee, Diadasina distincta, Anthrax sp., nest aggregation, parasitism,
mortality, bombyliid flies, fungi.
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E-mail: journals@fupress.com