Os ninhos de Centris (Heterocentris) analis (Fabricius, 1804) foram estudados no Campus de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo, de janeiro a dezembro de 2003. As fêmeas nidificaram em ninhos-armadilha confeccionados com cartolina preta, os quais foram introduzidos em placas de madeira colocadas em duas áreas distintas: sombreada e ensolarada. Nas duas áreas, a mortalidade de imaturos ocorreu principalmente no estágio de ovo; área sombreada: estágio de ovo (76,7%), estágio de larva (10,0%) e estágio de pupa (13,3%); área ensolarada: estágio de ovo (80,0%), estágio de larva (6,6%) e estágio de pupa (13,3%). A diferença de mortalidade entre as duas áreas (chi2 = 1,0, gl:1, p>0,05) não foi estatisticamente significativa, entretanto, a diferença de temperatura entre os meses nas duas áreas estudadas foi estatisticamente significativa (t-student, p<0,05). Os resultados mostraram também que a temperatura entre 26ºC e 27ºC foi ideal para o desenvolvimento de Centris analis.

Centris (Heterocentris) analis (Fabricius, 1804) nests were studied at the University Campus of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil, from January to December 2003. The females constructed nests in trap-nests made with black cardboard introduced in wood blocks which were placed on the shelves of two shelters built at the study site: sunny area and shady area. In both areas, the immatures mortality occurred mainly in the egg stage; shady area: egg stage (76.7%), larval stage (10.0%) and pupal stage (13.3%); sunny area: egg stage (80.0%), larval stage (6.6%) and pupal stage (13.3%). The mortality difference between the areas (chi2 = 1.0, gl:1, p>0.05) was not great enough to reject the possibility that the difference was due to random sampling variability, however, there were differences of temperature between two areas in all months observed (t-student, p<0.05) and the temperature around 26-27ºC showed to be optimal to Centris analis development.

Em um estudo conduzido em uma floresta de galeria do Vale do Véu de Noiva no Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Guimarães, MT, substâncias puras foram utilizadas para atrair e amostrar machos das abelhas das orquídeas. De setembro de 2003 a julho de 2005, uma vez por mês, das 8:00h às 16:00h, os machos foram capturados conforme eles chegavam às iscas-odores. Dos 264 machos coletados, oito eram Aglae caerulea Lepeletier & Serville, uma espécie cleptoparasítica com distribuição geográfica restrita à Bacia Amazônica. Portanto, a ocorrência de A. caerulea naquela área de estudo amplia aproximadamente em 2.400 km os limites para o sul da América do Sul, estando agora documentada sua presença tanto na Bacia Amazônica como na Bacia Platina.

In a study conducted in the gallery forest of the Vale doVeu de Noiva in the Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Guimarães, Mato Grosso state, chemical baits were used to attract and sample male orchid bees. From September 2003 to July 2005, male euglossine bees were captured monthly, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. as they arrived at the baits. Of the 264 males captured, eight males belonged to Aglae caerulea Lepeletier & Serville, a cleptoparasitic euglossine species that presumably occurred only in the Amazon basin. Therefore, the occurrence of A. caerulea in this study area extends its geographical distribution range by approximately 2,400 km southwards in South America, as it is now recorded in both the Amazon and Platina basins.

Los nidos usados en este estudio fueron obtenidos de nidos de trampa (tubos de cartón y tallos cortados de bambú) localizados en la finca Santa Carlota (Itaoca Sección-IS, Santana Sección-SS y Cerrado-Ce), Cajuru, SP, Brasil. El número de nidos y las especies correpondientes obtenidas fueron:516 nidos de T. curvitarsis, 104 de T. rugulosa, 399 de T. diversipes y 98 de T. garofaloi. La especie más abundante en SS y Ce fue T. curvitarsis, y la de IS fue T.diversipes. En general, la mayoría de los nidos fueron recolectados durante la estación caliente y húmeda (septiembre a abril). Los nidos fueron construidos con arena y una sustancia aceitosa, y una hembra solitaria se estableció en ellos. Las celdas fueron contruidas en una serie lineal, algunas veces contiguo a una celda vestibular. El número de celdas amplias se distribuyó desde 1 a 10 en T. curvitarsis (n=200), y en T. garofaloi (n=51), de 1 a 8 (n=30) en T. rugulosa, y de 1 a 6 (n=37) en T. diversipes. Las masas de polen (polen más sustancia aceitosa) contenían una depresión, algunas veces dividida por una carina transversal, sobre la cara expuesta de la masa de polen. Los huevos fueron puestos en la parte inferior de la depresión. A veces, el cierre de una celda fue iniciada antes de que el aprovicionamiento estuviera completo, con la construcción de un collar en el borde de la celda. En algunos nidos la partición final de las celdas también actuaba como un tapón. Las hembras empiezan sus actividades a las 6:18 a.m. y terminan entre 3:31 y 6:26 p.m. Algunas hembras (T. curvitarsis, T. rugulosa y T. garofaloi )no pasan las noches en sus nidos, regresando a ellos solamente la mañana siguiente con material adicional. En general, el periodo de desarrollo (para machos y hembras) fue mayor en nidos recolectados cerca del fin de la estación cálida y humeda que respecto a los nidos recolectados en otros meses. La proporción de sexos para cada especie fue: T. curvitarsis, 1:1; T. rugulosa, 1.6:1 hembras; T. diversipes, 1.9:1; T. garofaloi, 2.8:1. Machos y hembras de T. diversipes exhibieron tamaños estadísticamente similares y en las otras especies las hembras fueron más grandes que los machos. Las tasas de mortalidad fueron similares estadísticamente: 33.2% para T. curvitarsis, 25.8% para T. rugulosa, 26.8% para T. diversipes y 38.2% para T. garofaloi. Los parasitoides fueron Coelioxoides exulans, Leucospis cayenensis, Anthrax sp., Coelioxys sp., Coelioxoides sp.e individuos de la familia Meloidae

The nests used in this study were obtained from trap-nests (tubes of cardboard and cut bamboo stems) placed on Santa Carlota Farm (Itaoca Section-IS, Santana Section-SS and Cerrado-Ce), Cajuru, SP, Brazil. The number of nests and corresponding species obtained were as follows: 516 nests of T. curvitarsis, 104 of T. rugulosa, 399 of T. diversipes and 98 of T. garofaloi. The most abundant species from SS and Ce was T.curvitarsis, and from IS it was T. diversipes. In general, most nests were collected during the hot and wet season (September to April). The nests were constructed with sand and an oily substance, and a single female established them. The cells were constructed in a linear series, sometimes followed by a vestibular cell. The number of brood cells ranged from 1 to 10 in T. curvitarsis (n=200), and in T. garofaloi (n=51), from 1 to 8 (n=30) in T. rugulosa, and from 1 to 6 (n=37) in T. diversipes. The pollen mass (pollen + oily substance) contained a hollow, sometimes divided by a transverse ridge, on the exposed face of the pollen mass. The egg was vertically positioned in the lower part of the hollow. At times, the closing of a cell was initiated before provisioning was completed, with a construction of a collar at the cell limit. In some nests the final cellular partition also acted as a closure plug. Females began activities at 6:18 a.m.and ended between 3:31 and 6:26 p.m. Some females (T. curvitarsis , T. rugulosa and T. garofaloi ) did not spend the nights at their nests, returning to them only the following morning with additional material. In general, the development period (for males and females) was greater in nests collected near the end of the hot and wet season than it was for nests collected in other months. Sex ratios for each species were as follows: T. curvitarsis, 1:1; T. rugulosa , 1.6:1 female; T. diversipes, 1.9:1; T. garofaloi, 2.8:1. Males and females of T. diversipes exhibited statistically similar sizes and in the other three species the females were larger than the males. The mortality rates were statistically similar: 33.2% for T. curvitarsis, 25.8% for T. rugulosa, 26.8% for T. diversipes and 38.2% for T. garofaloi. The parasitoids were: Coelioxoides exulans, Leucospis cayenensis, Anthrax sp., Coelioxys sp., Coelioxoides sp. and individuals of the family Meloidae. Rev. Biol. Trop.53(1-2):175-186. Epub 2005 Jun 24

Se recolectaron 64 nidos inactivos de la avispa unta-dora de barro solitaria Brachymenes dyscherus reusados por 5 especies inquilinas en Fazenda Santa Carlota, Caju-ra, São Paulo, Brasil en 1995 y 1996. Monobia schrottkyi usó 52 nidos; entre las 717 celdas disponibles, 502 fueron reusados. El número de celdas por nido varió de 3 a 24; de 1 a 16 individuos emergieron desde setiembre hasta abril (154 machos y 112 hembras). Cuarenta y seis celdas fue-ron parasitadas por Melittobia sp. (n = 44) e Ichneumoni-dae (n = 2). Monobia curvata usó 3 nidos; entre las 50 cel-das disponibles, 38 fueron reusadas y 15 machos y 8 hembras emergieron desde agosto hasta noviembre. Tres celdas fueron parasitadas por Ichneumonidae. Montezumia petiolata ocupó un nido; entre las 8 celdas disponibles, 7 fueron reusadas y 2 machos y 3 hembras emergieron en setiembre. Podium denticulatum usó 2 nidos; las 20 celdas disponibles fueron reusadas y 11 machos y 4 hembras emergieron en agosto. Trypoxylon rogenhoferi usó 5 nidos que tuvieron 65 celdas disponibles; 48 fueron reusadas, de las cuales emergieron 19 machos y 11 hembras desde se-tiembre hasta noviembre. Tres celdas fueron parasitadas por Ichneumonidae (n = 2) y chrysididae (n = 1)

Sixty-four inactive nests of the solitary mud-daubing wasp Brachymenes dyscherus, reused by 5 inquiline species, were collected at Fazenda Santa Carlota, Cajuru, São Paulo, Brazil in 1995 and 1996. Monobia schrottkyi used 52 nests; among the 717 cells available for use, 502 were reused. The number of cells per nest varied from 3 to 24; 1 to 16 individuals emerged from September to April (154 males and 112 females). Forty-six cells were parasitized by Melittobia sp. (n = 44) and Ichneumonidae (n = 2). Monobia curvata used 3 nests; among the 50 cells available for use, 38 were reused and 15 males and 8 females emerged from August to November. Three cells were parasitized by Ichneumonidae. Montezumia petiolata occupied 1 nest; among the 8 available cells, 7 were reused and 2 males and 3 females emerged in September. Podium denticulatum used 2 nests; the 20 cells available for use were reused and 11 males and 4 females emerged in August. Trypoxylon rogenhoferi used 5 nests that had 65 available cells; 48 of them were reused, from which 19 males and 11 females emerged from September to November. Three cells were parasitized by Ichneumonidae (n = 2) and Chrysididae (n = 1)

Fifty five nests and 216 cells of Trypoxylon (Trypargilum) rogenhoferi were obtained from trap-nests (cut bamboo canes) in Santa Carlota Farm (Itaoca Section=IS and Santana Section=SS), Cajuru and on the São Paulo University Campus, Ribeirão Preto (=RP), both in the State of São Paulo, Brazil (Sept. 1993 - Oct. 1995). The prey (spiders) of 40 cells from IS, 58 from SS and 39 from RP were identified. The greatest nesting frequency occurred during the hot and wet season (September to April). T. rogenhoferi preyed upon individuals of five spider families, with Araneidae (orb-weaver spiders) being the most frequent (99.6%). Alpaida aff. negro (58%) was the most frequently collected species in IS, followed by A. alto (24.8%); in SS (59.6%) and RP (64.7%) the most frequent species was A. veniliae, followed in SS by A. aff. negro (14.9%) and in RP by A. leucogramma (13.5%). The size of reproductive niches, H’=1.25 (IS), H’=1.30 (SS) and H’=1.29 (RP) were not significantly different. There was a positive correlation between the reproductive niche width (H’) and evenness.

Nests (n=60) of a solitary mud-daubing wasp, Brachymenes dyscherus were collected at Fazenda Santa Carlota, Cajuru, São Paulo, Brazil in 1995 and 1996. The multi-celled mud nests were constructed on the interior walls of abandoned houses in dry and shaded places. Nests were composed of 1 to 4 layers with cells constructed in two parallel series. The number of cells per nest ranged from 3 to 62. Cells containing prey (larvae of Lepidoptera) numbered from 4 to 29. B. dyscherus is a univoltine species. Adults emerge from September to December, and nesting takes place at the beginning of the following year; however, the developmental period for some immatures with prolonged diapause lasted up to 596 days. The total duration of immature stages in nests collected in 1996 was less for males than for females. The sex ratio for the total population was 1.5 males : 1 female with males emerging earlier than females. A life table was constructed, and details of the life cycle of the wasps and parasitoids are presented. The most common mortality factors were either endogenous or due to Melittobia sp. (Eulophidae).

Fifty one nests and 200 cells of Trypoxylon (Trypargilum) lactitarse were obtained from trap-nests (cut bamboo stems) in Santa Carlota Farm (in two habitats: Itaoca Section-IS and Santana Section-SS), Cajuru and on the São Paulo University Campus, Ribeirão Preto (RP), both in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. The prey (spiders) of 18 cells from IS, 38 from SS and 70 from RP were identified. Nesting most frequently occurred during the hot and wet seasons (September to April). T. lactitarse preyed upon representatives of ten spider families. Araneidae (96.6%) (orb-weaver spiders) were the most frequent. Eustala sp.1 was the most frequently collected species in the three habitats (31.6% in IS, 20.1% in SS and 48.7% in RP), followed by Acacesia hamata (19.5%) and Alpaida leucogramma (10%) in IS, by Parawixiaaudax (16%) and A. hamata (15.4%) in SS and by P.audax (17.9%) and Eustala sp.2 (12%) in RP. The sizes of the reproductive niches were significantly different. There was a positive correlation between reproductive niche width and evenness.

Ninhos de Trypoxylon (Trypargilum) lactitarse Saussure e Trypoxylon (Trypargilum) rogenhoferi Kohl foram obtidos em ninhos-armadilhas na Fazenda Santa Carlota, Cajuru, SP e Campus da Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP. Os ninhos de T. lactitarse (n=51) e de T. rogenhoferi (n=55) foram construídos em gomos de bambu que variaram em comprimento e diâmetro interno, respectivamente, de 88,2 a 233,9 mm e de 7,4 a 14,7 mm, para a primeira espécie e de 104,1 a 201,2 mm e de 7,5 a 14,8 mm para a segunda. As células foram aprovisionadas com aranhas, previamente paralisadas, em número variável de três a 23 aranhas e as biomassas de 129,1 a 367,9 mg, para T. lactitarse, e de três a 24 aranhas e de 143,8 a 506,6 mg, para T. rogenhoferi. Células de T. lactitarse contendo de três a 11 e de T. rogenhoferi de três a 12 presas apresentaram biomassas semelhantes às daquelas contendo de 12 a 23 e de 13 a 24, respectivamente. Para as duas espécies estudadas, os machos mostraram-se menores que as fêmeas, enquanto que machos e fêmeas de T. rogenhoferi foram maiores do que aqueles de T. lactitarse. A família de aranha mais representada nas coletas foi Araneidae, a qual correspondeu a 96,6% dos indivíduos capturados por T. lactitarse e 99,45% daqueles capturados por T. rogenhoferi; as espécies de aranhas mais coletadas pelo primeiro e segundo predador foram Eustala sp1 (37,6%) e Alpaida veniliae (Keyserling) (48,1%), respectivamente.

Nests of Trypoxylon (Trypargilum) lactitarse Saussure and Trypoxylon (Trypargilum) rogenhoferi Kohl were obtained from trap-nests at Fazenda Santa Carlota, Cajuru, SP and at the Campus of the Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP. Nests of T. lactitarse (n=51) and T. rogenhoferi (n=55) were constructed in bamboo canes, 88.2 to 233.9 mm in length and 7.4 to 14.7 mm in internal diameter for the first species and 104.1 to 201.2 mm in length and 7.5 to 14.8 mm in internal diameter for the second one. Individual brood cells of T. lactitarse were provisioned with three to 23 paralyzed spiders and the total weight varied from 129.1 to 367.9 mg, whereas T. rogenhoferi were provisioned with three to 24 spiders and their weight varied from 143.8 to 506.6 mg. Cells of T. lactitarse with three to 11 and of T. rogenhoferi with three to 12 spiders showed weight similar to those with 12 to 23 and 13 to 24 spiders, respectively. For both species, females were larger than males, and males and females of T. rogenhoferi were larger than those of T. lactitarse. Araneidae was the most abundant family of spiders, with 96.6% of captures for T. lactitarse and 99.4% for T. rogenhoferi; the spider preys most collected by the first and second predator species were Eustala sp.1 (37.6%) and Alpaida veniliae (Keyserling) (48.1%), respectively.

Three nests of Euglossa (Glossura) annectans Dressier, 1982 were obtained from trap nests at Serra do Japi, Jundiai, São Paulo State, Brazil. The bees nested in bamboo cane (one nest) and in wooden-boxes (two nests). Solitary (two cases) and pleometrotic (one case) foundations were observed. Two nests were re-used once by two females working in each of them. Re-using females that shared the nests were of the same generation and each built, provisioned and oviposited in her own cells, characterizing a communal association. The brood development period was related to climatic conditions. Natural enemies included Anthrax oedipus oedipus Fabricius, 1805 (Bombyliidae), Coelioxys sp. (Megachilidae) and Melittobia sp. (Eulophidae).

Neste trabalho são apresentadas observações sobre a diversidade, sazonalidade e aspectos da nidificação de vespas solitárias em ninhos armadilhas colocados na Fazenda Experimental da Fundação Educacional de Ituiutaba, MG. As vespas nidificaram em gomos de bambu e em tubos de cartolina preta com 58 e 85 mm de comprimento e diâmetro interno com 6 e 8 mm, denominados de tubos pequenos (=TP) e tubos grandes (=TG), respectivamente. Os dados foram coletados mensalmente, durante dois anos. Um total de 296 ninhos de vespas foram obtidos sendo, 236 de Sphecidae (8 espécies) e 60 de Eumeninae (4 espécies). As nidificações ocorreram em maior freqüência durante a estação quente e chuvosa (setembro a abril) com os meses de fevereiro para os Sphecidae e janeiro para os Eumeninae, aqueles de maior atividade. Trypoxylon lactitarse Saussure nidificou durante todo o período de observação enquanto que, Pachodynerus praecox Saussure foi a única espécie que nidificou somente na estação fria e seca (maio a agosto). Os ninhos armadilhas mais utilizados foram TG (57,6% dos ninhos) pelos Sphecidae e TP (78,6% dos ninhos) pelos Eumeninae. Dentre os Sphecidae, a espécie mais abundante foi T. lactitarse (61% dos ninhos) e dentre os Eumeninae foi Pachodynerus brevithorax Saussure (80% dos ninhos). Além da estrutura dos ninhos, são apresentadas também observações sobre a estrutura dos casulos, mortalidade e inimigos naturais.

Species richness and seasonality were investigated for solitary wasps using trap-nests at the "Fazenda Experimental da Fundação Educacional de Ituiutaba", Minas Gerais. Trap-nests consisted of segments of bamboo canes and tubes made with black cardboard, 58 or 85 mm in length, with internal diameters of 6 or 8 mm, denominated small nest (=SN) and big nest (=BN), respectively. The trap-nests were inspected every month and a total of 296 nests of wasps were obtained, including 236 Sphecidae nests (8 species) and 60 Eumeninae nests (4 species). Nest establishment was more frequent during the hot and wet season (September to April), especially February for Sphecidae and January for Eumeninae. Trypoxylon lactitarse Saussure founded nests during the entire period but Pachodynerus praecox Saussure only nested during the cool dry season (May to August). The trap-nests tube greater utilized was BN (57,6% of the nests) by the Sphecidae and SN (78,6% of the nests) by the Eumeninae. The most abundant species of Sphecidae was T. lactitarse (61% of the sphecid nests), and of Eumeninae was Pachodynerus brevithorax Saussure (80% of the eumenine nests). Observations on nest structure, cocoon structure, mortality and natural enemies are also presented.

Ninhos de Monobia angulosa Saussure foram obtidos em ninhos armadilhas, na Fazenda Santa Cariota, Cajuru, SP (n=10) e na Estação Ecológica de Jatai, Luís Antônio, SP (n=3). As vespas nidificaram em gomos de bambu que variaram de 158 a 194 mm no comprimento e de 9,5 a 15 mm no diâmetro interno. Os ninhos consistiram de uma série linear de células, variando de 1 a 6, separadas por partições de barro, seguidas ou não por célula vestibular e fechamento, também de barro, construído na entrada do tubo ou mais internamente a ela. Células intercalares foram observadas em 33,3% dos ninhos. As células de cria foram aprovisionadas com lagartas previamente paralizadas e a oviposição foi realizada no teto da célula. Foram produzidas mais fêmeas do que machos, com as fêmeas sendo criadas nas células distais. Tanto o tamanho das fêmeas como o comprimento das células de onde elas emergiram, foram significantemente maiores que os dos machos. Os inimigos naturais foram: Chrysis intrincata Dahibom (Chrysididae), Anthrax sp. (Bombyliidae) e moscas Tachinidae. M. angulosa apresentou, pelo menos, duas gerações por ano, ambas presentes na estação quente e chuvosa.

Nests of Monobia angulosa Saussure were obtained at Santa Cariota Farm, Cajuru, São Paulo (n=10), and at the Ecological Station of Jatai, Luis Antônio, São Paulo (n=3). The wasps nested in segments of bamboo canes, 158 to 194 mm in length and 9.5 to 15 mm in internal diameter. Nests consisted of a linear series of 1 to 6 cells, separated by mud partitions followed or not by a vestibular cell and final-closure mud plug, generally inside of the tube entrance. Intercalary cells were observed in 33.3% of nests. Brood cells were provisioned with caterpiliars and eggs were attached to the ceiling of the cells by a thin filament. More females than males were produced with females being reared of cells from the interior end of the nest. Females were larger than males, as well as the lengths of their respective cells. Natural enemies were: Chrysis intrincata Dahibom (Chrysididae), Anthrax sp. (Bombyliidae), and a Tachinidae fly. M. angulosa presented at least two generations/year, during both the hot and wet seasons.