Gonzalez et al. (2006) describe Neocorynura muiscae and include notes on its nesting and foraging biology. Nests of this species were found in the Colombian Andes at an altitude of 2850 m. Nests contained between one and two females; solitary nests made up between 60 and 90% of the population depending on the collection. Nest architecture is similar to other species of the genus: a short tunnel in the ground ending in a single chamber containing a single earthen cell cluster. Nests averaged 2.9 cells per cluster. Ovarian dissections show that at least one, and often all of the females in a multi-female nest were reproductively active. The authors suggest that multi-female nests are made up of both sister-sister groups remaining after their mother has died, as well as mother-daughter groups. It is not clear if these groups are temporary pre-dispersal assemblages or stable social groups. The authors give an extensive list of pollen identified from the nest, but the bees’ diet is dominated by Gnaphalium-Lourteigia type (Asteraceae) pollen.
Neocorynura muiscae is a species of sweat bee of the genus Neocorynura in the subfamily of Halictinae of the family of Halictidae. It was first described by Allan H. Smith-Pardo and Victor H. Gonzalez in 2006.[2]
Neocorynura muiscae is named after the Muisca, who inhabited the central highlands of the Colombian Andes (Altiplano Cundiboyacense) where four specimens of the bee have been found at an elevation of 2,850 metres (9,350 ft);[3] in the Santuario de fauna y flora Iguaque, Boyacá.[2][4][5]
The nesting structure of Neocorynura muiscae has an entrance of an earthen turret surrounded by an elliptical tumulus. The surfaces of the turrets are not polished but internally smooth. The exterior is rough. Main burrows are vertical in flat ground. Most of the nests have been discovered in the pasture.[6]
Neocorynura muiscae is a species of sweat bee of the genus Neocorynura in the subfamily of Halictinae of the family of Halictidae. It was first described by Allan H. Smith-Pardo and Victor H. Gonzalez in 2006.
