Pollination is a basic ecological process that stands for plant reproduction, agricultural yield, for the long run. Although much attention is given to the potential contribution of honeybees (Apis spp.) in the pollination process, the contribution of non-Apis solitary bees is often neglected, especially the buzz pollinators. Buzz pollination, basically defas sonication, is a special foraging method in which bees create vibrations that dislodge pollen from poricidal anthers. This mechanism is essential for the successful pollination of several economically important crops, such as tomato, brinjal, potatoes and guava. Among the solitary bees, species of the genus Amegilla have been identified as highly efficient pollinators by buzzing. The present study aimed to learn about Amegilla cingulata's behavioural ecology, a solitary buzz-pollinating bee, by investigating its nesting architecture, foraging preferences and pollen collection strategies and sleeping behaviour. Species identification was confirmed from close examination of the diagnostic morphological char-acteristics and confirmed by expert taxonomists. Systematic field observations were performed to report floral resource use and buzz-pollination behaviour, whereas continuous monitoring was used to report clustering and sleeping patterns. Amegilla cingulata built mostly vertical, branched subterranean nests with brood cells lined internally and sealed by thick, well-defined walls. Both nesting and foraging activities were very strongly affected by ambient temperature and daily thermal fluctuations. Female bees proved to be highly efficient at collecting pollen by the sonication technique, with a significant preference for Ponacea species. The results indicate the ecological importance of A. cingulata as an effective and specialised buzz pollinator and suggest the great contribution of this species to the pollination of important crops for human use. This study highlights the importance of conserving the solitary bee species within pol-linator conservation schemes for sustainable agriculture management to increase the productivity of crops.

Buzz Pollination, Amegilla cingulata, Solitary Bees, Nesting Behavior