A pocket-maker. Nests are constructed on or just beneath the soil surface and the colonies are of small or moderate size (F. Smith, 1868; Sladen, 1912; Hasselrot,1962; Alford, 1975). The comb is light yellow with a neat appearance; little wax is secreted, this being worked into thin sheets (Sladen, 1912; Alford, 1975). Occupied nests are illustrated by E. von Hagens (1986) and Geiser (1988). Grandi (1961) has described and figured the prepupa.