‘Soil and Bee’: Unravelling the nesting preference of the pearly-banded bee, Hoplonomia westwoodi (Nomiinae: Halictidae)

Abstract The pearly-banded bee, Hoplonomia westwoodi (Nomiinae: Halictidae), is an efficient buzz pollinator of crops belonging to the family Solanaceae with unique ‘poricidal anthers’ in the flowers. Domiciliation of H. westwoodi for managed pollination service in protected cultivations is desirable to ensure effective pollination and quality fruit set in different crops. A study was conducted to investigate the nesting activity, soil preference and nest reuse by H. westwoodi . The nest-burrowing activity was highest in October (12.67 ± 1.15 burrowing events/month), and least in February (1.03 ± 0.11 burrowing events/month). The number of pollen flights was maximal between 10:00 and 12:00 p.m. in the active nesting period. The mean number of active turrets per nest was significantly higher in pots with plants (17.17 ± 2.63 active turrets/pot) compared to pots without any plants (8.01 ± 1.54 active turrets/pot). A significantly higher rate of acceptance (63.2%) of sandy soil for nest construction by H. westwoodi was observed, with the highest number of brood cells/turret (13.25 ± 2.22 brood cells/turret) and adult emergence (95%). The percentages of reuse of old turrets for nest construction during the years 2021 and 2022 were 8.33% and 16.67%, respectively. The mean number of cells built by H. westwoodi in the reused and fresh turrets were 5.90 ± 1.29 and 7.40 ± 0.97 cells, respectively. The mean number of adult bees that emerged from the reused and fresh turrets were 3.80 ± 1.01 bees/turret and 7.40 ± 0.97 bees/turret, respectively. Our study indicates that domiciliation of H. westwoodi in portable pots with sandy soil and plants for utilization is possible for managed pollination under protected cultivation.