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Nest founding by mixed kin groups in communally nesting orchid bees
Jonas Henske1,2, Mauricio Fernández Otárola3, Janosch Dohrs1
1Animal Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity, Ruhr-Universitat Bochum, Bochum, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
Biology Letters
|July 15, 2025
Summary
Neotropical orchid bees, Euglossa cybelia, exhibit unique communal nest founding by multiple sister groups. This behavior in orchid bees may be linked to elaborate nest architecture and construction effort.
Area of Science:
- Zoology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Behavioral Ecology
Background:
- Neotropical orchid bees are unique among corbiculate bees for lacking obligate eusociality.
- Studying their social evolution is crucial, but nest discovery and behavioral data are limited for most species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate nesting behavior and kinship in the aerially nesting orchid bee, *Euglossa cybelia*.
- To understand the evolutionary pathways of social behavior in bees.
Main Methods:
- Field observation and nest collection in Pacific lowland Costa Rica.
- Kinship analysis of nest foundresses and offspring.
Main Results:
- Described nests and kinship for *Euglossa cybelia*, revealing communal nest founding by multiple sister groups.
- Observed no apparent social hierarchies among nest foundresses.
- Found all females were mated, with most contributing to offspring.
Conclusions:
- *Euglossa cybelia* presents a unique model for communal nesting without social hierarchy.
- Elaborate nest architecture and construction effort may drive co-founding and communal nesting in this species.
- Provides insights into the diverse evolutionary strategies of social behavior in bees.
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