TAXONOMIC STUDIES ON LEAF CUTTER BEES (HYMENOPTERA: MEGACHILIDAE) OF KARNATAKA
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Date
2015-07-10
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UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES GKVK, BENGALURU
Abstract
Leaf cutter bees are important pollinators of many domesticated and wild crops.
However, proper identification of these bees with particular reference to the Indian fauna
has been a problem. Hence, a taxonomic study on leaf cutter bees of Karnataka was
undertaken during 2012-14. A Total of 1416 specimens representing four tribes, 11
genera, 20 subgenera and 52 species of Megachilidae were examined. The study showed
that in Karnataka, the tribe Megachilini is represented by two genera namely Megachile
(six subgenera; 25 species) and Coelioxys (four subgenera; nine species). The tribe
Anthidiini is represented by seven genera namely Anthidium (two subgenera; two
species), Anthidiellum (one subgenus; one species), Eoanthidium (two subgenera; two
species), Euaspis (one subgenus; three species), Pachyanthidium (one subgenus; one
species), Pseudoanthidium (one subgenus; two species), and Trachusoides (one species).
Tribe Lithurgini is represented by Lithurgus (one subgenus; five species) and the tribe
Osmiini by Heriades (one subgenus; one species). Identification keys to tribes, genera
and species have been prepared. Detailed descriptions of species along with illustrations
have been given to help in identification. In the present study 20 species are possible new
and two species are new records to India and 12 species are new records to Karnataka
state. A checklist of leaf cutter bees of India that includes 266 species is also given.
Forty-four species of flowering plants belonging to 18 families were recorded as
associated with these bees. The highest number of species were recorded from dry zone
(20 species) with the highest values for species richness (Dmg = 4.12) and diversity index
(H'=2.49; D=0.90). Evenness was highest in coastal zone (E=0.95). Most common
megachilid species in Karnataka were Megachile lanata, M. bicolor, M. disjuncta, M.
lerma, M. anthracina, M. carbonaria. In general, leaf cutter bees were found to be more
abundant during June, July, September and October and December and lowest during
January to April.
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