Nesting biology and associated insect enemies of the exotic leaf cutter bee<i>Megachile</i>(<i>Eutricharaea</i>)<i>concinna</i>(Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) in Argentina

Abstract

The nesting biology of the exotic bee Megachile (Eutricharaea) concinna Smith, 1879 and its negative interactions with other insects were studied. Trap nests made of wood were located in an urban environment in Buenos Aires province, Argentina, and surveyed during 26 months. The lifecycle and the structure of the nest of M. concinna are described. We also report six interactions between this bee and native and exotic parasitoids and cleptoparasites. The species Baryscapus megachilidis is recorded here for the first time in Argentina.