Introduction to the Biology of Trap-nesting Bees and Wasps

Meet the Fauna of Maine

Cavity size preferences

Climate/Habitat preferences

Sex Ratios

In 1995 and 1996, 1280 trap-nests were deployed at 32 sites in northern and central Maine. Sites spanned two climate regions and eight counties. Traps were placed along forest margins (hardwood and softwood) that bordered either clearcuts or uncultivated fields. Over 1,100 nests were examined in all. Twenty-four species of solitary trap-nesting aculeates from eight different hymenopteran families (Vespidae, Megachilidae, Pompilidae, Colletidae, Larridae, Pemphredonidae, Halictidae, and Anthophoridae) utilized the traps as well as 18 species of nest associates. A brief description of the biology and ecology of each species is discussed with phenology data and locality notes. The fauna in Maine is similar to the fauna recorded by other trap-nesting studies in northeastern North America.

These pages are currently

UNDER CONSTRUCTION!

Introduction:

Several species of solitary bees and wasps construct nests in pre-existing cavities, often in pithy stems (Krombein 1967). These 'xylophilous' aculeates can be induced to nest in borings made in wood (trap-nests) making them ideal subjects for ecological study (Cooper 1953). In most areas of North America several distantly related aculeate species (and their nest associates) which comprise the guild in that area can be collected in trap-nests placed in open areas and along the margins of woods (Krombein 1967). The guild of xylophilous aculeates changes in composition from east to west across North America. Many of the Nearctic species have a broad range that covers much of the United States, southern Canada and northern Mexico, while others are more limited (Bequaert 1943, Krombein et al. 1979). The ecological dynamics resulting in the structure of these guilds could be studied if a detailed knowledge of their composition for many areas was known. Prior surveys of the insect fauna in Maine have included trap-nesting bees and wasps but have not included all species (Procter 1946, Dearborn et al. 1983). Ecological studies which have utilized trap-nesting aculeates directly have been conducted in Maine (Jennings and Houseweart 1984, Collins and Jennings 1987a,b) and have provided much in the way of comparison, but since diversity was not their primary concern only a limited area was sampled. A survey specific to trap-nesting aculeates which covers a substantial portion of the state has been lacking. This survey was designed to cover a broad area, to include four different habitats (in two climate regions) which are likely to be suitable to trap-nesting bees and wasps, and to provide a range of boring diameters to attract aculeates of different sizes.