Notes on the Behavior of Four Subspecies of the Carpenter Bee, Xylocopa (Notoxylocopa) tabaniformis, in Mexico

Abstract

Host plants and behavior of males and females of 4 subspecies of the carpenter bee Xylocopa (N otoxylocopa) tabaniformis (illota Cockerell, melallosoma O'Brien and Hurd, rujina Maidl, and tabaniformis Smith) are discussed and a nest site (bracket fungus) of illota is figured. Males of melanosoma were found to establish a territory, and the activity of illota and mjina males sug~ gests territoriality. These bees are active in the evening and early morning; this fact is reflected by their rarity in collections and should be considered by the collector in Mexico.