First contribution to the bionomics of the pollen wasp Celonites fischeri Spinola, 1838 (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Masarinae) in Cyprus In memory of Friedrich W. Gess

Abstract

Celonites fischeri was recorded from ten localities in various open, disturbed habitats in North-West Cyprus. The species is probably narrowly oligolectic exploiting exclusively flowers of Echium (Boraginaceae) as the sole pollen and nectar source. Females perform a pollen collecting strategy hitherto unknown in pollen wasps; they ingest pollen from fresh anthers of Echium flowers that have just started to open by forcing their head into the only slightly opened corolla. Males patrol along Echium plants in search for females. Mating was mainly observed at Echium flowers but also occurred in the area of a male sleeping aggregation. The aerial nest, consisting of 2–5 earthen cells sometimes covered with an additional thin layer of earth, is attached to stones or plants. Nest building and soil collection behaviour are described and an ethogram of a nesting female observed during three consecutive days is given. Males form sleeping aggregations at particular sites that are continuously used over at least eleven consecutive nights, even though the size of the male groups may vary from day to day. During sleeping, the males characteristically curl their bodies around withered stems.