Natural History, Learning, And Social Behavior in Solitary Sweat Bees (Hymenoptera, Halictidae)

Abstract

The natural history of two Costa Rican species of sweat bees was studied to better understand the advantages and disadvantages associated with group-living and cooperative behavior in bees. One of the bees was a new species, and was described and named after Jose Figueres Ferrar, a famous Costa Rican patriot. Studies of the behavior of these bees, in turn, are used as general models for studying social behavior. Experimental studies on one of the species (Lasioglossum figueresi) showed that females recognize their homes (nests) in part by means of individual "chemical signatures" deposited at the entrance-way. The use of chemical signatures by solitary bees to recognize their nests is useful because the same perceptual systems can be used by the bees to recognize other bees, and so form stable social groups. Experiments on mate recognition by male bees also showed that males can recognize individual females by their odors. Details of the courtship behavior of a solitary bee (Nomia triangulifera) show it to have the most complex courtship behavior known to date in bees. Together these studies show the importance of behavior as both products, and producers, of evolution.