NOTES ON THE BIOLOGY OF A LITHURGINE BEE (HYMENOPTERA: MEGACHILIDAE) IN QUEENSLAND

Nests of Lithurge atratiformis Cockerell, found in rotten branches in south-eastern Queensland, are described and are similar to those of some other species of the genus. Previous reports of Lithurge building nests of mud appear to be erroneous. Adults of L. atratiformis visit and gather the coarse-grained pollen of Ipomoea and Hibiscus flowers. Two generations per year are indicated with overwintering occurring in larval form.