15 p. : 26 cm

"Until recently bees of the Fideliidae were considered a distinct family, but new evidence dealing with biology and adult features indicates that they are a sister group of the Megachilidae. Fideliids are relegated to subfamily status (Fideliinae, new status) because of this sister-group relationship, because of the few taxa within the Fideliinae, and because such a classification will encourage further comparisons of them with other megachilids. The following biological information is given concerning the southern African Parafidelia pallidula Cockerell: description of nesting area, nest structure in the ground, provisioning with pollen of Sisyndita spartea, development, cocoon structure, and such adult activities as mate searching, nest excavation, and sleeping. Of special interest is the fact that females nest shallowly in desert regions and provision very large cells with food masses, each of which houses two or three eggs. The mature larva is similar to that of Fidelia villosa Brauns and less similar to that of Neofidelia profuga Moure and Michener, but cladistic analysis of larval similarities and differences of these three taxa is not possible. mature larvae of fidellines are nearly indistinguishable from those of other megachilids. A comparison of the biology of Fidelia, Parafidelia, and Neofidelia is presented as is a tabular comparison of nesting, provisioning, and development characteristics of the Fideliinae, Lithurginae, and Megachilinae"--P. [1]

Title from caption

"October 14, 1977."

Includes bibliographical references (p. 15)

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