Ethological observations on some solitary wasps (Hymenoptera : eumenidae) in Dhaka, Bangladesh

• Published in: Bangladesh Journal of Zoology (Bangladesh) Vol. 19; no. 1
• Main Authors: Begum, A, Howlader, M.A, Bose, S.K. (Dhaka Univ. (Bangladesh). Dept. of Zoology)
• Format: Publication
• Language: English
• Published: 1991
• Subjects: BANGLADESH; CICLO VITAL; CYCLE DE DEVELOPPEMENT; ESPECE; ESPECIES; HYMENOPTERA; NIDIFICACION; NIDIFICATION

Ethology of six species of solitary eumenid wasps, Ethmenes conicus F., E. petiolatus F., E. esuriens F., E. gracilis Saus., Xenorhynchium nitidulum F., and Odynerus punctum F., were studied in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The females of the first four species constructed nests with pellets of mud on exposed surfaces such as on walls of buildings, on wooden or bamboo posts in houses, and on other objects. The females of X. nitidulum and O. punctum constructed nests in concealed places in pre-existing cavities or holes in walls of buildings and houses. The former species utilized mud and resin as the nesting material while the latter utilized only mud. The females of all the species provisioned the nests with lepidopterous larvae. The structure of nest, the mechanism of nest construction, the mechanism of hunting the prey and their utilization as provision for the offspring, and the oviposition by the females, were observed in detail. The duration of different stages of life cycle were also recorded for each species.