Nesting and foraging behaviour of Xylocopa fenestrata and Xylocopa leucothorax on ridgegourd (Luffa acutangula) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus)
2011
RAHMAN. A. | DEKA, T.N.
The nesting behaviour of X. fenestrata and X. leucothorax was studied in terms of nesting site, materials and architecture. X. fenestrata preferred dry bamboo top for making nest, whereas X. leucothorax made nest in dry wood. In bamboo, the nests were constructed in a linear pattern extending only one side from the entrance hole, i e in a straight line but in wood, the nests were found to be either branched or straight. The position of nest, diameter of entrance hole, number of cells per nest and the diameter of nesting materials varied with the species and materials. Thefemale nests of Xylocopa consisted of several cells whereas male nest devoid of such structure. Foraging activity of X. fenestrata and X. leucothorax on ridge gourd was observed from 5 AM to 7 PM of the day and showed that maximum number of visit at 5 AM to 6 AM of the day with pollen load 68±4.45 mg/trip for X. fenestrata and 65±2.32 mg/trip for X. leucothorax. Foraging activity on cucumber was recorded from 7 AM to 5 PM of the day with peak visit at 10 AM to 11 AM of the day having maximum pollen load 68±3.16 mg/trip and 67±3.99 mg/trip by X. fenestrata and X. leucothorax.
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