Understanding foraging and nesting behaviour of ground nesting bees in Dunedin, New Zealand
Solitary bees (Hymenoptera: Insecta) are key pollinators for natural ecosystems and agricultural crops. Unlike social bees, such as bumblebees and honeybees, solitary bees forage and build their nests independently and are more vulnerable to ongoing threats, including habitat loss and pesticides, than social bees. New Zealand has 27 native solitary bee species, and understanding foraging and nesting behaviours of native bees is critical for conservation efforts. However, few New Zealand studies have investigated the behavioural ecology of native bees.