The pollen-collecting behavior of three species of the South American Andean bee genus Brachyglossula is reported. Species studied are B. martinezi Trucco Alemán, B. communis Trucco Alemán, and B. ancasti Roig Alsina and Schlumpberger, new species. The new species, which is comparatively described and illustrated, inhabits the isolated mountain range of Sierra de Ancasti, in the province of Catamarca, Argentina. Observation of the bees in the field, and pollen counts from scopal loads strongly support specialization of these bees on the Cactaceae. Members of both major cactus subfamilies, the Opuntioideae and the Cactoideae, are frequently visited and represented in the pollen loads.

The study was conducted to determine the effects of queen body weight at emergence on the mating ratio, acceptance of the mated queens by the queenless colonies, onset of oviposition, diameter of spermathecae, the number of spermatozoa in the spermathecae, and the egg-laying rate of the queens.

The queens were categorized in three groups; Heavy (207.63 ± 0.95 mg), Medium (193.47 ± 0.96 mg) and Light (175.00 ± 0. 62 mg) according to weight at the emergence. Acceptance rates in heavy, medium and light queen groups were 93.33%, 86.66% and 66.66%; average mating ratios were 93.3%, 90.0% and 83.3%; and the onset of oviposition was 8.5, 8.8 and 9.8 days after emergence, respectively. The diameters of spermathecae and the numbers of spermatozoa in the spermathecae were 1.25, 1.06, 0.86 mm; and 5.2, 4.8 and 4.2 million respectively. The amounts of brood area, 30 days after the onset of oviposition were 6605.2 ± 63.6, 5571.3 ± 90.3 and 4520.2 ± 58.3 cm² in the colonies headed by the heavy, medium and light queens. Statistically important correlations were found between queen weight and the diameter of the spermatheca (r  =  0.98), the number of spermatozoa in the spermatheca (r  =  0.97) and egg-laying rate of the queens (r  =  0.90).

Life history of Eufriesea smaragdina (Perty, 1833) (Euglossina) was studied with trap nests. Over 4 yr bamboo canes and wooden blocks were placed in trees in secondary Atlantic forest on Santa Catarina Island and restinga forest on the adjacent mainland in Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. Forty-one brood cells were obtained in 14 nests and 23 Ef. smaragdina imagines emerged in November and December suggesting a univoltine life cycle for these bees. One cleptoparasitic orchid bee, Exaerete dentata, and a meloid beetle, Tetraonyx sp., were also reared from the nests. Their emergence fitted into the schedule of Ef. smaragdina suggesting a close adaptation to this host.

Nesting and associated behaviors of Andrena (Plastandrena) prunorum Cockerell were studied at two sites in western Washington: a suburban lawn and a vacant lot. A maximum of five nests, usually well separated from one another, was found at a given site and year. Nest and cell structure at both sites were similar, but cell depth differed markedly between sites, and between years at one site. All nests were multi-cellular. Provision masses were flattened spheres of pollen moistened to a doughy consistency. The curved egg was placed atop the provision mass with both ends contacting it. A brief description of larval feeding is provided. Andrena prunorum and its Nomada parasite overwinter as adults. Nests, cell, provision mass, egg placement, and a feeding larva are illustrated. Information on mating, female foraging behavior, and local pollen sources are given. Adult phenology and the possibility of two generations per year are discussed. Nomada sp. nr. calloxantha Ckll. parasitized A. prunorum at one site and larval feeding by the cleptoparasite is described.

The species of Rediviva (Apoidea, Melittidae) occurring in the summer rainfall region of South Africa are revised. Nine species are recognized, four are described as new: R. brunnea, R. autumnalis, R. rhodosoma and R. transkeiana all attributed to Whitehead and Steiner. Distributions and host plants are given for all the summer rainfall area species and a key to identify both males and females is presented. Rediviva rufipes and R. bicava, a winter rainfall area species, are synonymized.

The distribution and morphology of antennal sensilla were investigated in females of Doeringiella (Triepeolus) nobilis (Friese) (Apidae, Epeolini) using scanning-electron microscopy. Sensilla campaniformia and three different types of sensilla trichodea were observed in the scape and pedicel. Sensilla trichodea and placodea were the most abundant types in all the flagellomeres. Variability in terms of length was observed in sensilla trichodea and to a lesser extent in sensilla basiconica, allowing further classification of these cuticular structures into types. Sensilla ampullacea, coeloconica and coelocapitula displayed a similar morphology to that reported for other hymenopterans. A previously unknown type of sensilla basiconica was observed in flagellomere nine.

A systematic study of the chewing louse genus Lagopoecus (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera: Philopteridae) was undertaken to identify several species found among the undetermined specimens in the K. C. Emerson Collection at Oklahoma State University. This paper treats the species found on pheasants and their relatives (Galliformes: Phasianidae: Phasianinae). The known species are redescribed and illustrated, the male of L. choui Liu and the female of L. ovatus (Uchida) for the first time. One species (L. colchicus Emerson) is probably a synonym of L. sinensis (Sugimoto).