An entomopalynological analysis of larval provisions of Xylocopa iris (Christ, 1791) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Turkey

Daser-Ozgisi B., ÖZENİRLER Ç., ÖZGİŞİ K., Dikmen F.

TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, vol.149, no.1, pp.13-19, 2023 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 149 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.3157/061.149.0102
  • Journal Name: TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts
  • Page Numbers: pp.13-19
  • Keywords: Xylocopa, carpenter bee, entomopalynology, nest architecture, pollen preference, LARGE CARPENTER-BEES, POLLINATION, PUBESCENS
  • Eskisehir Osmangazi University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Bees are indispensable living components of ecosystems because of the pollination services they offer. In this respect, it is important to determine the extent of host plant specialization by evaluating their pollen diet, information that can easily be gathered by analyzing the pollen content of their nests. Here we examined two Xylocopa (Copoxyla) iris (Christ, 1791) nests from different provinces in Turkey to identify the relationship between the surrounding vegetation and the possible pollinator or forager X. iris, a species for which there is limited available pollen preference data. We investigated the larval provisions and pollen content of these nests and compared pollen content with the pollen of the surrounding vegetation. In addition, we inspected the nest architecture and nesting biology and reviewed extant information about the distribution of this species in Turkey.