Acta Entomologica Sinica ›› 2008, Vol. 51 ›› Issue (7): 778-783.

• RESEARCH PAPERS • Previous Articles    

Life history and relevant biological features of Andrena camellia Wu (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae)

HUANG Dun-Yuan   

  • Online:2008-07-20 Published:2008-07-20

Abstract: Andrena camellia Wu is one of the major insect pollinators of Camellia oleifera found in Jiangxi and Hunan, China. In 2006-2007, we surveyed morphological features of all stages except adult, life history, and behaviour of both larvae and adults in Yichun, Jiangxi. The results indicated that this species occurs one generation a year in Yichun. Adults start to emerge in around middle October. Males normally emerge 3 days earlier than females, and die after copulation with females several days later. The life of males spans around 18 days after evacuating nests, while that of females 38 days. Larvae last 24 days or so, with pupae 30 days. Females can copulate with males at the same day as they emerge. They select localities to build their nests nearby where they emerge. Both pollens and nectar are carried into cells in the nest to make ball-like food for their offspring,and one cell for one ball-like food, and one ball for one egg.