DOI: 10.5061/dryad.f4qrfj74h
title: Local and landscape effects on the reproduction of wild bees and wasps in Mediterranean communities along a gradient of land-use

description: The transformation of natural landscapes for agricultural proposes may
 severely affect wild bee and wasp reproduction. In this study, we located
 trap-nests on 18 natural Mediterranean communities within agricultural
 areas to study the effects of landscape (% natural areas and
 heterogeneity) and local flowering communities (flower abundance and
 richness) on the total abundance and richness of solitary bees and wasps
 that nest within cavities. We also estimated several reproductive
 variables (number of nests, number of cells per nest, sex ratio,
 parasitoidism and survival) of the two most common species in the study
 system: the bee Osmia caerulescens and the wasp Ancistrocerus
 longispinosus. We found that total bee abundance increased with flower
 richness and landscape heterogeneity, while it decreased with flower
 abundance. Furthermore, our results indicated local and landscape effects
 on the focal species’ reproductive success, being overall stronger those
 at the local than at the landscape scale. Floral richness and abundance
 influenced the number of cells per nest. However, while the effect of
 flower abundance was positive in both cases, the effect of flower richness
 differed, being positive for O. caerulescens and negative for A.
 longispinosus. The percentage of natural habitats in the landscape had a
 positive additional effect on the number of cells per nest only in A.
 longispinosus. Besides, flower richness was positively related to the
 proportion of females in both species, and increased O. caerulescens
 survival. Our findings stress the importance of considering different
 spatial scales for an effective conservation management that takes into
 account Hymenoptera reproduction.
description: This study we investigated how landscape and local factors
 influence wild bee and wasp reproduction on the island of Mallorca,
 Spain. Study Sites: We chose 18 natural scrubland areas
 surrounded by agricultural landscapes. These sites varied in the amount of
 surrounding natural habitat and overall landscape diversity.
 Landscape Characteristics: To assess resource availability at a
 large scale, we analyzed a 1km radius around each study site, measuring
 the percentage of natural habitat and landscape diversity within that
 area. Flower community: To assess resource availability
 at a local scale, we placed sampling squares within each study site and
 counted the number and types of flowering plants throughout the
 season. Trap-nest sampling: To assess bee and wasp
 reproduction, we placed bundles of trap-nests at each site. These nests
 were collected and examined monthly throughout the breeding season. Then,
 we  counted the number and types of nests built, the number of cells
 within each nest, sex ratio of emerged adults, parasitoid abundance, and
 larval survival rate. Focus species: While data was
 collected for all bee and wasp species, we focused our analysis on the two
 most abundant species: the solitary bee Osmia caerulescens and the wasp
 Ancistocerus longispinosus.
description: # **Local and landscape effects on the reproduction of wild bees and wasps
 in Mediterranean communities along a gradient of land-use**  **Description
 of the data and file structure** We conducted a field study in Mallorca,
 Spain, to investigate the factors influencing the reproduction of wild
 bees and wasps. We aimed to understand how both landscape-scale factors
 and local-scale factors, such as the availability of floral resources,
 affect the reproductive success of wild bees and wasps in Mediterranean
 environments. We established 18 study sites in natural scrubland areas and
 collected data on: Landscape characteristics: The amount and diversity of
 natural habitats surrounding the study sites. Flowering community: The
 abundance and richness of flowering plants within the study sites. Bee and
 wasp reproduction: The number and types of nests built by bees and wasps
 in trap-nests, the number of cells within these nests, the sex ratio of
 emerging adults, parasitism rates, and larval survival. ### Files and
 variables #### File: DATA\_MARRERO\_Ecol.Ent\_2024.xlsx
 **Description:** The “**bee.wasp_rich-abu**” spreadsheet has data on the
 total richness and abundance of bees and wasps found at each of the sites
 and separated by bundle. In addition, there are data on landscape
 heterogeneity of the percentage (land.hetero); of the surface with patches
 of natural vegetation (land.natural) in areas of 1km radius; of the total
 abundance of flowers (ab.flowerTotal) or inflorescences and the richness
 (r.flowerTotal). The “**nest.abundance**” spreadsheet has data on the
 number of nests for the two most common species of bees (O. caerulescens)
 and wasps (A. longispinosus) found at each of the sites and separated by
 bundle. In addition, there are data on landscape heterogeneity of the
 percentage (land.hetero); and of the surface with patches of natural
 vegetation (land.natural) in areas of 1km radius. For flower abundance
 (ab.flower) or inflorescences and richness (r.flower) here, we only
 analyzed data on two months –May and June–, and flower richness and
 abundance were estimated by summing up data on the two surveys conducted
 just prior to the collection of nests. The
 “**cell.abu-survival-parasitoid**” spreadsheet contains data on the number
 of cells per nest, the number of cells that survived within the nest at
 the time of nest opening, the abundance of parasitoids, and the species of
 parasitoids for the two most common species of bees (O. caerulescens) and
 wasps (A. longispinosus). In addition, there are data on landscape
 heterogeneity of the percentage (land.hetero); and of the surface with
 patches of natural vegetation (land.natural) in areas of 1km radius. For
 flower abundance (ab.flower) or inflorescences and richness (r.flower)
 here, we only analyzed data on two months –May and June–, and flower
 richness and abundance were estimated by summing up data on the two
 surveys conducted just prior to the collection of nests. The
 'n/a' data points reflect the absence of parasitism in these
 nests, resulting in no recorded values for the corresponding variables The
 “**sex.ratio**” spreadsheet contains data on the offspring of each nest
 that were found to be male or female for the two most common species of
 bees (O. caerulescens) and wasps (A. longispinosus). The total number of
 cells may be lower than that recorded in the cell.abu-survival-parasitoid
 spreadsheet, since many cells were sacrificed for other analyses (pollen,
 contamination, among others). ##### Variables * **Bee and wasp abundance
 and richness:** Total number of bees and wasps nests at each site,
 separated by bundle. * **Landscape characteristics:** Percentage of
 natural vegetation and landscape heterogeneity within a 1km radius of each
 site. * **Flower abundance and richness:** Total number and richness of
 flowers or inflorescences at each site, analyzed for May and June. *
 **Nest abundance:** Number of nests for O. caerulescens and A.
 longispinosus at each site and bundle. * **Cell data:** Number of cells
 per nest, survival rates, parasitoid abundance, and species. * **Sex
 ratio:** Proportion of male and female offspring for O. caerulescens and
 A. longispinosus.