Diversity and Nesting Behaviour of Xylocopa Species in Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

Aims: Kangra district, situated in the mid-hills of Himachal Pradesh is known to retain a rich treasure of climatic variability, favourable for diversified vegetation and insect fauna. This study assessed the diversity and nesting behaviour of Xylocopa species in Kangra district. Study Design: A biodiversity survey was conducted across different selected locations. Place and Duration of Study:  Five different locations in the Kangra district viz., Palampur, Nagrota Bagwan, Nagrota Suriyan, Fatehpur and Nurpur were surveyed during the year 2024-2025. Methodology: Insects were collected using sweep net and preserved for further identification. Species diversity was assessed for the collected bees and their active nests were located. Later on, artificial structures were constructed to study the nesting behaviour of the bees. Results: The study recorded three Xylocopa species: X. fenestrata, X. pubescens and X. nasalis, reflecting a stable and diverse carpenter bee community. Nesting was primarily in sunlit areas, with east or southeast-oriented entrances and tunnels angled slightly downward (14.60–18.60°). X. fenestrata exhibited broad foraging across 15 plant species, including key crops like ridge gourd, brinjal and cucumber, with peak flower visitation rates on ridge gourd (9 flowers/min) and longest foraging duration averaging 9 hours 24 minutes per day. Laboratory rearing documented its complete developmental cycle (36.5 ± 1.50 days). Domiciliation experiments showed a strong preference for bamboo, with only 4 of 70 offered cells accepted, yielding an average acceptance rate of 32.5%, while other substrates were rejected. Associated pollinators observed near Xylocopa nests included Ceratina spp., Megachile spp. and Vespa spp., highlighting the diversity and complexity of the local pollinator guild. Conclusion: The study revealed that the Kangra district supports a diverse community of large carpenter bees, with Xylocopa fenestrata being the most widespread and adaptable. Its specialized nesting behaviour showed a preference for dry bamboo, indicating the feasibility of artificial domiciliation and its broad foraging range highlights its ecological importance. X. fenestrata also excels as a pollinator of crops like ridge gourd and brinjal.