Both solitary and eusocial types of the species typically excavate nest burrows in southward facing slopes in isolated areas, consisting of sand or soil.
This slope maximizes the heat absorption from the sun, making the nest warmer.
The nests with a favorable slope were thought to increase foraging efficiency of adults and development of larvae with a stable thermal environment.

Stones or areas of vegetation are usually found near nest entrances, likely because of the heating properties of these objects.
For each offspring, a females constructs a small underground chamber (a "brood cell"), into which she deposits several loads of pollen mixed with nectar, which is then formed into a ball; a single egg is laid upon this pollen mass, and then the brood cell is sealed.
The female repeats the process with other brood cells, going progressively deeper into the soil.
A higher temperature increases the rate at which the larvae develop to maturity, as thermal regulation is important for the development of both the eggs and the larvae.

The nests can be up to 120 mm deep, and are constructed in a wide range of soil types.
Because social nests produce more offspring than solitary nests, social nests will burrow further into the ground, as the second brood of the social population will extend the burrows downward.
Females typically nest in dense aggregations, likely because the nesting females are relatives and demonstrate philopatric behavior.
Both solitary and eusocial types of the species typically excavate nest burrows in southward facing slopes in isolated areas, consisting of sand or soil. This slope maximizes the heat absorption from the sun, making the nest warmer. The nests with a favorable slope were thought to increase foraging efficiency of adults and development of larvae with a stable thermal environment.
Stones or areas of vegetation are usually found near nest entrances, likely because of the heating properties of these objects. For each offspring, a females constructs a small underground chamber (a "brood cell"), into which she deposits several loads of pollen mixed with nectar, which is then formed into a ball; a single egg is laid upon this pollen mass, and then the brood cell is sealed. The female repeats the process with other brood cells, going progressively deeper into the soil. A higher temperature increases the rate at which the larvae develop to maturity, as thermal regulation is important for the development of both the eggs and the larvae.
The nests can be up to 120 mm deep, and are constructed in a wide range of soil types. Because social nests produce more offspring than solitary nests, social nests will burrow further into the ground, as the second brood of the social population will extend the burrows downward. Females typically nest in dense aggregations, likely because the nesting females are relatives and demonstrate philopatric behavior.
Halictus rubicundus