Use of nest boxes by solitary wasp but not bee species in forest patches in Norfolk County, southern Ontario, Canada

Published source details

Taki H., Viana B. F., Kevan P.G., Silva F.O. & Buck M. (2008) Does forest loss affect the communities of trap-nesting wasps (Hymenoptera: Aculeata) in forests? Landscape vs. local habitat conditions. Journal of Insect Conservation, 12, 15-21

Background

Provision of artificial nest sites is one strategy to conserve declining or threatened bees and wasps. This study monitored the use of nest boxes by solitary bee and wasp species in patches of forest in an intensive agricultural landscape in Norfolk County, southern Ontario, Canada.

Action

Six nest boxes were placed at each of eight randomly selected forest sites from 10 June to 20 August 2003. Nest boxes comprised a 9.5 x 9.5 x 16.5 cm milk carton, containing a block of polystyrene with 36 holes drilled 15 cm deep, lined with cardboard tubes of 3, 5, 7 and 9 mm diameter (nine of each diameter). Boxes were attached horizontally to trees at a height of 1 to 1.5 m, in a hexagonal array each 50 m away from a central sampling point.

Boxes were checked every two weeks. Tubes with the ends capped were collected and replaced with new tubes. Nest occupants were reared outdoors by placing cardboard tubes into larger plastic tubes and regularly checking until November 2004.

Consequences

A total of 612 insects from 12 species of solitary wasp emerged from nest tubes – six species from the family Eumeninae, two species from the family Crabronidae, one species from the family Sphecidae and two spider-hunting wasp species, Pompilidae. No bee species were recorded. Two species of parasitic wasp in the family Chrysididae were also recorded, and parasitic flies from the genus Amobia.