Observation of Megachile saulcyi (Guérin-Méneville, 1844) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) using plastic for nest construction in Chile

Abstract

Megachile saulcyi (Guérin-Méneville, 1844) is reported for first time cutting pieces from a plastic bag that are used for the construction of its nest, this being the first record of a bee performing this activity in Chile. The growing problem of solitary bees that use plastic for the construction of cells for their nest is analyzed as well as the consequences that they can originate in the survival of their populations.

Keywords

• behaviour
• dasymegachile
• pollution
• solitary bees