Comportamiento de <i>Bembix americana antilleana</i> durante la nidificadón (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae)

Abstract

The nesting behavior of Bembix americana antilleana was studied in Cuba. The specíes nested irrestrictiveIy with respect to soil types. Females constructed simple one-cell nests. Cells were progressively supplied with flies from several faroilies, mainly Syrphidae and Muscídae. Pernales laid eggs on the fírst prey placed in the cell. Males flew a "sun dance" to attempt mating. In dense nesting aggregations males formed a struggling ball of competitors around females. They also excavated their own resting burrow. B. americana antilleana was a generalized nesting species Ihat exhibiled more primitive Ihan specialized traits, according lo the evolutionary scheme of the genus Bembix