Assessment of nest architecture and pollination efficiency of Lasioglossum ( Evylaeus ) marginatum (Helictidae: Hymenoptera)

Lasioglossum marginatum sp. is the most efficient pollinator of stone fruit crops (such as peach, plum, and cherry). Its proportional contribution to the total visitation is significantly higher than the conventional visitation. This species is polylectic, polyandrous, and an efficient pollinator that is endogeic in nature. Its nesting behavior has been studied earlier. Various nest soil physical characteristics like tumulus length, turret height, nest depth, nest density, nest diameter, nest length, and the height from the plane have been determined across the experimental sites and found to be statistically significantly higher than the normal range. Various parameters were found to be most significant in Budgam (Experiment location-I) located at an altitude of 1700 m above sea level (a. s. l.) higher than Srinagar (Experiment location-II) which is situated at an altitude of 1400 m a. s. l. The current study investigated some of the parameters like the total number of individuals per nest, cell length, cell diameter, cell area, sex ratio per nest, and the weight of pollen mass. Based on the Kolmogorov–Smirnov analysis outcomes, it was found that the species prefers clay loam soil. Further, various soil gravimetrical characteristics such as gravel/sand, slit, and clay in soils at different locations were significantly higher than the normal range. In addition to these, the Chi-square results regarding various nest soil chemical characteristics like the hydrogen ion concentration (pH), electric conductivity (dSm −1 ), organic matter (%), organic carbon (%), nitrogen (kg/ha), porosity (%) and soil moisture (%) content at different locations were significantly higher than the normal range. The maximum number of males emerged from the final brood in the 2 nd —4 th week of April; followed by the emergence of other workers and gynes, till the 4 th week of May. The maximum flight activity was recorded from 15 th April till the 1 st week of May. The number of individuals per nest varied from 6 to 27 with a sex ratio in the range of 0.24 to 0.5. The minimum number of males and females per nest was found to be 1.0 and 5 respectively; while the maximum numbers were 9 and 18, respectively. The pollen-masses were found in short-side tunnels that were terminated with cells, in which the eggs were present and it sustained in the brood cells during the long overwintering periods. The current study helps in the conservation of bees by preserving their foraging plants and providing them with suitable and pollution-free breeding and nesting habitats.