Each cell is about 7 by 11 mm, with an entrance slightly narrower than the width of the attached tunnel. Only one side tunnel is open at a time, once finished and filled, the tunnel is packed with dirt. This feature is unique to the Agapostemon genus. The lateral tunnels in the main burrow end in a cell that is many times smaller in length than the tunnel itself. During the night when the bee is no longer foraging, the entrance is sealed with dirt. The entrance of the burrow is found at the center of this mound and, unlike the nests of other members of Halictinae, the entrance is not usually narrower than the main tunnel. This mound is usually dispersed by wind and other weather conditions. If undisturbed the size can range from 3-5 cm in diameter with a height of 1-3 cm high. ĭuring excavation, any detritus from the digging is built up in a mound around the entrance of the nest. The side tunnels are narrower than the main tunnel and as such are too small for the female to turn around in. The main tunnel is just large enough for the female to be able to turn around in, with a diameter of about 4 cm. The vertical tunnel can range in depth from 20-150 cm and the lateral branches can be around 5-20 cm long. Burrows show a downwards trend in their construction, likely due to periodic deepening of the nest. texanus nest consists of a nearly vertical tunnel with 6-14 lateral branches, each of which end in a single cell and are dug with no particular sequence. Nest Architecture Īgapostemon texanus is considered a ground nesting bee. texanus is an exclusively solitary nester, unlike the other members of its genus, which can be found in both solitary and community nests. They prefer to build in loamy soil, under pebbles and leaves or in pre-existing cracks or holes in the ground to stay hidden. Females fly close to the ground in search of ideal nesting sites and are specifically attracted to dark, hidden spots. Nesting Habits Īgapostemon texanus is a ground nesting species that builds on both vertical banks and horizontal surfaces. The females tend to be about 11 mm in length and the males are between 9-10 mm long. The males can be distinguished by the black and yellow bands on their metasoma, whereas the females are all one color. The head and thorax of both male and female Agapostemon texanus are variations of a bright metallic blue or green. texanus can tolerate a wide range of elevation, documented from sea level all the way up to 8,000 feet in California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range. Its range in the southwest United States is interrupted in arid areas. It has been documented as far north as southern Canada and as far south as Costa Rica, but is most common to the west of the Mississippi River and on the west coast of the United States. texanus has the greatest range of any species in the genus Agapostemon. They transport pollen on their hind legs. texanus ranges from March to October with their peak activity happening in May to September. Commonly known as the metallic green sweat bee or the Texas striped sweat bee, it varies greatly in its appearance, with variations in color and in the amount of black markings on the legs. Agapostemon texanus is a species of bee found in North America.
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