Ecological studies of osmia cornuta (latr.) (hymenoptera, megachilidae) populations in yugoslavia with special attention to their diapause

Abstract

In this paper we present results of idioecological investigations on populations of Osmia cornuta cornuta, which made possible multiplication and utilization of this solitary bee as an orchard pollinator. Reeds of Phragmites communis, 5-9 mm in diameter, where used as nesting material. It is emphasized that O. rufa cornigera has spread in our country, but applying the same technology of rearing its multiplication was not successful. Out of 40 registered species of accompanying fauna of O. cornuta, the mite Chaetodactylus osmiae, is the most important pest of these bees. We proposed a new method of control of this cleptoparasite by 0.007% solution of endosulfan.