Comparative Studies on the in-Nest Behaviors of Small Carpenter Bees, the Genus Ceratina (Hymenoptera, Anthophoridae, Xylocopinae) : I. Ceratina (Ceratina) cucurbitina, Part 1

As the first report on the comparative ethology of Ceratina bees, this paper describes behavior inventory and the sequences of various behavior chains in C. cucurbitina, the type species of the genus. These are essentially similar to those observed in some other congeners, even to Ceratinidia, an ethologically very peculiar subgenus. Part 1 deals with nest architecture, and pre-laying and laying periods. Main ethological features of C. cucurbitina in these periods are : 1-Turning chamber near the nest entrance is rather indistinct (≒ other Ceratina s. str., ≠Ceratinidia), 2-Absence of frequent empty spaces between brood cells (≒ Ceratinidia), 3-Possible absence of advanced sociality (≠ Ceratinidia, though ≒ Ceratinidia flavipes), 4-The homing from each foraging trip is followed by pollen kneading-pollen unloading-departure (≒ Cetraina s. str., ≠Ceratinidia), 5-Egg is attached to the burrow floor as in most congeners, but not cemented as in other observed Ceratina s. str. species (≠ other Ceratina, s. str.).