Summary
Nest architecture ofHalictus ligatus was studied at Victoria, southern Ontario; over 130 nests were excavated in 1984. The most important findings are as follows. Nest failure was lower in vegetated areas than in bare ground. Nests with entrances hidden under leaves may suffer less mortality from parasites than those out in the open. Loops around cells are dug in response to moist soil conditions and appear to be an intermediate step towards cavity formation. Brood mortality due to mould seemed to result from cell waterlogging which the excavation of loops may help to prevent. Cells near the surface may suffer from waterlogging after heavy rains. Nests situated in denser vegetation suffered less mortality from mould. Gyne-producing cells are larger than male or worker-producing ones. Mandibular wear is an accurate measure of the amount of excavation performed by an individual female.
Resume
On étudie, dans le sud de l'Ontario, l'architecture des nids deHalictus ligatus; on déterre pour cela, en 1984, plus de 130 nids. Les principales découvertes sont les suivantes. La survie des nids est plus grande sur des surfaces recouvertes de végétation que sur des sols dénudés. Les nids dont les entrées sont dissimulées sous des feuilles souffrent moins de mortalité par prédateurs et parasites que ceux dont les entrées sont apparentes. Des boucles entourant les cellules sont construites pour prévenir une trop grande humidité du sol et semblent constituer une étape intermédiaire vers la formation d'une cavité. La mortalité du couvain due à l'humidité semble résulter d'un excès d'eau que l'excavation de boucles pourrait contribuer à prévenir. Les cellules situées près de la surface peuvent souffrir d'un excès d'humidité après de fortes pluies. Les nids situés sous une végétation plus dense souffrent moins de mortalité par moisissure. Les cellules produisant des reines sont plus grandes que celles qui donnent des mâles et des ouvrières. L'usure mandibulaire est une mesure précise du creusement accompli par un individu femelle.
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Packer, L., Knerer, G. An analysis of variation in the nest architecture ofHalictus ligatus in Ontario. Ins. Soc 33, 190–205 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02224597
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02224597