Panurgus (Panurgus) calcaratus (SCOPOLI, 1763)

Excavator: Ground. Generally nests in aggregations which may persist over many years. The nest is essentially similar to that of P. banksianus, though there is only a single entrance burrow (see figure in Knerer, 1980).

The species is communal, several females sharing a nest, but no cooperation in cell construction or provisioning takes place (Knerer, 1980). These females were found on dissection by Knerer to have mated and all pollen collectors had at least one mature oocyte. The larva has been described and figured by Micheli (1936).

As with P. banksianus, males have the habit of sheltering within yellow-flowered Asteraceae during inclement weather and at night. Copulation has also been seen to take place in such flowers (G.M. Spooner, pers. comm.).

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