title: Density and Distribution of Xylocopa Nests (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Caatinga Areas in the Surroundings of Passion Fruit Crops.
abstract: Due to their importance as pollinators of many plant species, this study aimed to know the nest density, spatial distribution, and nesting substrates used by Xylocopa species in the Caatinga, a xerophilous vegetation of Northeastern Brazil. Three areas of Caatinga in the surroundings of passion fruit crops were sampled. The bee species found in these areas were Xylocopa grisescens Lepeletier and Xylocopa frontalis (Olivier). All nests were in Commiphora leptophloeos (Burseraceae) trees (n = 113). Phytosociological analysis showed that this tree species presented the highest absolute density (212.5 individuals/ha) and index of importance value (52.7). The distribution pattern of the C. leptophloeos was aggregated. The nests were located in dead and dried branches with an average diameter of 5.3 ± 2.0 cm (n = 43). The mean number of nests/tree was 3.1 ± 2.8 (n = 113). The less disturbed area showed 6.7 nests/ha and 4.2 nests/tree. In the disturbed areas, 0.9 nests/ha and 2.4 to 2.7 nests/tree were observed. The availability of substrate for nesting in the studied areas and its importance as a limiting factor for nesting are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Depto de Sistemática e Ecologia, Univ Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB,, 58051-900, Brasil. cmartins@dse.ufpb.br.
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.affiliation: Univ do Estado da Bahia, Juazeiro, BA, Brasil.
authors.forename: K M M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: de Siqueira
authors.affiliation: Embrapa SemiÁrido, Petrolina, PE, Brasil.
authors.forename: L H P
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Kiill
authors.affiliation: Embrapa SemiÁrido, Petrolina, PE, Brasil.
authors.forename: I I S
authors.initials: II
authors.lastname: Sá
authors.affiliation: Depto de Ciências Biológicas, Univ Estadual de Feira de Santana, Feira de Santana, BA, Brasil.
authors.forename: C M L
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Aguiar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees; D001938:Brazil; D005638:Fruit; D006927:Hymenoptera; D009425:Nesting Behavior; D029598:Passiflora
keywords: Carpenter bees; nest aggregation; nest density; nesting biology