author(s)
Prashantha C and Belavadi VV

abstract
Though the large carpenter bees are well known pollinators of cultivated and native plants, there is an information gap regarding wild bees in India. The present study is a contribution to the knowledge of the systematics and nesting architecture of Xylocopa (Biluna) nasalis Westwood, 1838 from India. Males and females of X. nasalis species are diagnosed, described, and illustrated, including details of the male genitalia. Taxonomic comments, data on the geographical distribution and morphological measurements are given in detail to aid their identification by pollination researchers and notes on nesting biology are documented. The study was conducted during January 2016 in Chinthamani near Bengaluru. Thirteen nests were collected for dissection for measurements. Nests of X. nasalis were unbranched and constructed in pithy or hollow stem. The mass provisioned cells were sepa­rated by a diaphragm. The nest entrances were located at the middle of the bamboo culms. The average nest length was 29.50±1.84 cm with a mean internal diameter of 1.44±0.25 cm. The number of cells per nest ranged from 2 to 8 (x̄ = 5.17±2.14). Detailed nest architecture is provided in this paper which may help in designing artificial trap nests for conserving these pollinators.