Most bees do nests on the ground, and many prefer to do so in rocks instead of sand. By creating spaces for these vital pollinators, we can support them much better.
More than 20,000 species of bees existing in the world, 70% nesting no soil. And just like many of their surface nests, these bees are facing a rapid population decline.
But although there has been a investigation into the breeding of habitat for bees that nest in cavities above the ground, the nesting ecology of the soil nesting remains little studied.
This gap in knowledge is worrying. On the one hand, these bees play a crucial role in ecosystems. On the other hand, the habitats of the nesting bees in the ground are Threatened by soil degradation, urbanization, pesticides and agricultural expansion.
A recent study addresses this research gap. On the 14th in the southern entomology, examines the soil type preferences that nest in the soil and provide a simple and practical approach to improve their habitats.
A great diversity of native bees
Australia houses a great diversity of native bees that are found nowhere in the world – more than 1,600 species with scientific name.
Lasioglossum (Homalictus) endowed It is a small species of bee that nests in the soil, native to Australia. Measures approximately 3-4 mm.
Unlike the European honey bee (Apis mellifera), which lives in large highly organized colonies and with complex social structures, the L. endowed presents a social structure of “Life in Apartment”with independent nests near each other. This aggregation behavior indicates certain environmental or habitat characteristics that are necessary for the species to prosper.
This species is widely distributed by continental Australia. Nests in a variety of sandy soil types. Therefore, it offers a valuable opportunity to examine how different environmental conditions shape your nesting preferences.
A prolific pollinator
A fundamental characteristic of the nests of this species is the presence of small conical mountains of excavated soil, known as Thenthat surrounds the entrance. These hills can resemble small hills of ants. That’s why, nests are sometimes confused with ant nestswhich leads to the accidental application of pesticides and the destruction of bees habitat.
This bee is also known for visiting a series of plants of ecological importance, which makes it essential to understand their role in ecosystems. Your visit to the flowers of Trees Jarrah, Marri and Yarriall of them vital for maintaining biodiversity and wildlife support in southwest Australia.
Lasioglossum dotatum It was also seen in avocadoa culture of significant economic value in Western Australia.
Although it remains uncertain if L. endowed It is an important pollinator of culture, its presence in these orchards suggests that it can play a supplementary role in pollination. This makes it potentially an intriguing theme for the investigation that explores native alternatives to honey bees (Apis mellifera) for the pollination of cultures.
Understand the preferences of bee nesting
The investigation focused on understanding the nesting preferences of L. endowed. The study sought to explore how environmental characteristics, how soil type and surface cover influenced where these bees chose to nidify. Specifically, it tested if L. endowed He preferred naked sand or rock gravel as a nesting substrate.
The study also examined whether to clean the sand, treated with steam or not, influenced bee nesting decisions.
Researchers used artificial sand nesting vessels full of sand from the Swan Coastal Plain, a region known for their sandy soils, to simulate nesting conditions around active bee aggregations. During the summer nesting season, researchers monitored the way bees interacted with these artificial nesting sites using the number of nests (or tumuli) entries as a measure of nesting activity.
Entering the gravel
The study found that a L. endowed preferably nest in pots covered with rock gravel than in vessels with naked sand. This preference probably results from the benefits provided by the gravilha, such as a better moisture retention, temperature regulation, and protection against predators.
Experimental vessels with gravilha had significantly more entry into nests. This indicates that rock coverage helps create a more stable and favorable microhabitat for nesting.
Bees also showed a preference for steam -treated sand, suggesting that factors such as microbial contaminants or organic waste in the untreated soil can prevent nesting.
Interestingly, when the rocky gravel was removed, many nests were found hidden under the gravel, which emphasizes the importance of rock coverage in increasing nest stability and reducing the risk of disturbance.
Simple and practical approach to conservation
These results have important implications for the conservation of native bees, particularly in urban and agricultural areas.
The preference for rock gravel suggests that the incorporation of this material into urban landscapes could improve the nesting conditions for bees that nest in the soil, such as the L. endowed.
By creating spaces for these soil nesting, we can better support these vital pollinators.
Because native bees continue to face habitat loss and degradation, these findings provide a simple and practical approach to improve their habitats, ultimately contributing to more sustainable pollinators populations in both urban and rural environments.
