Contribution to the bionomics of the pollen wasp Quartinia canariensis Blüthgen, 1958 (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Masarinae) in Fuerteventura (Canary Islands, Spain)

By

Mauss, Volker
Müller, Andreas

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2016

Original Publication

Journal of Hymenoptera research

Volume

50

Pages

1-24

Subjects

Chrysis umbofascialis , flower associations , mating behaviour , nest construction , Palaearctic , silk spinning

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Washington, D.C International Society of Hymenopterists

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/JHR.50.6870

 

Abstract

Quartinia canariensis was recorded from three semidesertic sand habitats in Fuerteventura. All localities were sparsely covered by halophytic vegetation and characterized by large patches of flowering plants of Frankenia laevis (Frankeniaceae). Males and females were exclusively observed to visit flowers of Frankenia laevis. During flower visits the imagines often switched between nectar and pollen uptake. Pollen was consumed directly from the anthers or pollen uptake was indirect with pollen grains gathering on the frons being brushed towards the mouthparts with the fore legs. During nectar uptake the wasps protruded their long proboscis into the nectariferous pockets between the claws of the petals of the Frankenia flowers. Brood cell provisions consisted mainly of pollen from Frankenia but to a small amount also from Polycarpaea (Caryophyllaceae) suggesting that Quartinia canariensis is polylectic with strong preference. Males regularly stood on the ground in the vicinity of Frankenia plants and frequently performed patrol flights along the flowers. Flower visiting females avoided contact with the males and mainly offered resistance against the insertion of the male genitalia. The behavioural sequence during copulation of a species of Quartinia is described for the first time. The nest was a multicellular sub-vertical burrow surmounted by a short turret. The burrow was excavated by the female in friable sandy soil. The walls of the nest were stabilized by silk produced by the nest building female and applied with the mouthparts. Inconsistencies concerning the host-parasite-relationship between Quartinia canariensis and Chrysis atrocomitata established by Gusenleitner 1990 are discussed.