NESTING, MALE BEHAVIOR OF CENTRIS (WAGENKNECHTIA) RODOPHTHALMA PÉREZ (HYMENOPTERA: ANTHOPHORIDAE) AND COMPARISONS WITH OTHER CHILEAN SPECIES OF THE GENUS

Abstract

The nesting biology of Centris rodophthalma Pérez is described and compared lo published accounts
of C. autrani, C. cineraria, C. mixta tamarugalis and C. nigerrima. All are ground nesting solitary species
with nests constructed in plañe surfaces or soft slopes, but those of C. cineraria and C. nigerrima are
located into vertical walls too. Except C. mixta tamarugalis, the other ones, built a not ramified tunnel
filled with loose soil when the nests have been closcd. The number and disposition of the cells is different
in each one of the species, no more than 10 serially arranged in C. autrani, 3-4 placed laterally in C.
cineraria and C. nigerrima, 4-8 in C. mixta tamarugalis near the tunnel base, and 1-3 radially distributed
at the end of a not curved tunnel in C. rodophthalma. In addition, proterandry, mating, male mating strategies,
sleeping aggregations as well as rejection of males by fcmales are reported and discusssed.