STUDIES ON BEE FAUNAL DIVERSITY OF BANGALORE REGION
Loading...
Date
2006-09-10
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Agricultural Sciences GKVK, Bangalore
Abstract
The study on faunal diversity o f non-Apis bees (Super family: Apoidea) in and
around Bangalore region revealed 37 species in 12 genera under three families viz,
Apidae, Halictidae and Megachilidae and five sub families viz, Apinae, Xylocopinae,
Halictinae, Nomiinae and Megachilinae. The genera included under the study are
Amegilla Friese includes four species, Braunsapis Michener one species, Ceratina
Latreille five species, Coelioxys Latreille one species, Halictus Latreille three species,
Lasioglossum Curtis four species, Lithnrgus Berthold one species, Megachile Latreille
seven species, Nomia Latreille four species, Thyreus Jurine two species, Steganomus
Retsima one species and Xylocopa Latreille four species. All these species were collected
while foraging on 24 different plant species. Each of the specimens are described and
illustrated. Keys are also given for their identification. All these species are useful to
mankind as pollinators. Megachile Latreille pollinates leguminous crops like field bean,
french bean, red gram, sesame, crotalaria, and also tulasi. Xylocopa Latreille pollinates
gliricidia, tomato, Brinjal, french bean, field bean, crotalaria, red gram. Ceratina Latreille
pollinates tulasi, field bean, french bean, marigold, goldenrod, melissa, portulaca,
crotalaria, sesame, Tecoma. These bees built their nests in tree hollows, building holes,
soil mounds, wood burrows, bird nests etc. Megachile, mason bees were found building
their nests in hard wood cuttings, building holes, egg shell sheat, by using mud, and leaf
cutter bees were found building their nests in building holes using leaf bits. Amegilla
confusa Smith also builts its nest in building holes using leaf bits. Ceratina (Pithitis)
binghami Cockerell builts its nest in both soft and hard wood cuttings like rose and
bamboo respectively. Ceratina (Pithitis) hieroglyphica Smith builts its nest in soft wood
cuttings like rose. Xylocopa spp. built their nests in hard wood cuttings like eucalyptus
and bamboo.
Description
Keywords
null