Nest Structure, Development and Natural Enemies of Ceratina Hieroglyphica Smith, A Stem Nesting Bee Colonizing Cashew Trees in Hilly Terrains

Abstract

Ceratina hieroglyphica nesting sites were located in dried tiny twigs of cashew trees, and the life stages were observed through periodical collection of nests. Nests were located in the pithy region up to a maximum of 20 cm deep, and individual cells of 3.5 - 4 mm were separated by partitions. In 2017, one hundred and two nests were collected, of which twenty-two had been abandoned. Older cells were at the bottom of nests, while young ones towards the entrance. Among the different stages, the most in the nests were adults (51.8%), followed by pupal stages. Periodical collection of nests and the observations on developmental stages of the bees indicated that the nesting period was found to occur between October and March. Each egg was laid on a pollen provision located in separate cells and the incubation period lasted for 3.1±0.29 days. The larval period and pupal period lasted for 8.4±0.63 days and 7.3±01.41 days, respectively. Adults survived up to fourteen days in lab conditions with 10% honey solution. Parasitoids, predators and pathogens recorded on this bee species are also presented here.