Keys for the identification of common bees of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Illustrated keys are provided for the identification of 41 species of bees in 25 genera and three families that are commonly encountered on flowers of common flowering plants of Sri Lanka. The generic and species keys to bees are annotated with known natural history information on distribution, floral hosts, special behaviour at flowers, nest type and nesting sites. Details of external morphology of bees used in the keys have been included. A brief taxonomic history of bees relevant to Sri Lanka is also included.