Eur. J. Entomol. 103 (3): 695-697, 2006 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2006.091

Augmentation of managed populations of Osmia cornuta and O. rufa (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) in Southeastern Europe

Miloje KRUNIĆ, Ljubiša STANISAVLJEVIĆ*
Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro;

We describe augmentation of managed populations of Osmia cornuta and O. rufa in the vicinity of Belgrade (Serbia). Annual augmentation of O. cornuta populations was more than five-fold during the six years of our study. This was achieved by watering the soil near the Osmia augmentation shelters used for nest building. However, populations of O. rufa under the same treatment only doubled annually. Data are also presented on sex ratios in these managed populations, the sex ratio being an important factor in increasing population numbers and raising pollination efficacy. Sex ratio values (♂ : ♀) varied from 1.46 : 1 to 3.22 : 1 in the populations of O. cornuta and from 1.35 : 1 to 2.68 : 1 in those of O. rufa.

Keywords: Hymenoptera, Megachilidae, orchard bees, pollination, Osmia cornuta, Osmia rufa, augmentation, soil watering, Serbia

Received: October 11, 2005; Revised: January 19, 2006; Accepted: January 19, 2006; Published: July 3, 2006  Show citation

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KRUNIĆ, M., & STANISAVLJEVIĆ, L. (2006). Augmentation of managed populations of Osmia cornuta and O. rufa (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) in Southeastern Europe. EJE, 103(3), 695-697. doi: 10.14411/eje.2006.091
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