Nest and provisioning biology of the bee Panurginus polytrichus Cockerell (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae), with a description of a new Holeopasites species (Hymenoptera: Apidae), its probable nest parasite

The nest architecture, mating behavior and nest provisioning biology of Panurginus polytrichus in central Texas are described, Panurginus polytrichus is a vernal, univoltine. gregarious. polylectic bee. The main nest site studied has been continuously occupied for at least 20 years. Most mating takes place at the nest site. Mating balls are commonly observed at the emergence site and mating pairs often make short flights while in copula. Nests may have multiple entrances but are occupied by a single female. Nests hake an unusual. horizontal sand filled vestibule which the female traverses to reach the open, vertical main burrow. Females usually make three or four pollen trips per day and are estimated to provision a male cell in one day and a female cell in two. Holcopasites rozeni n. sp.. a probable nest parasite of P. polytrichus is described. It is the first parasitic bee associated with an species of Panurginus and a possible biological link with the Old world ammobatoidine bees.