A study of pollen residues in nests of Centris trigonoides Lepeletier (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Centridini) in the Caatinga vegetation, Bahia, Brazil

Abstract

Pollen sources used by Centris trigonoides bees were identifi{dotless}ed in an area of the Caatinga vegetation by analysing the pollen residues encountered in their nests. Twenty-eight pollen types were identified, and the most frequently found were Chamaecrista ramosa (46.45%; Leguminosae-Caesalpinioideae), Solanum paniculatum (16.65%; Solanaceae) and Zornia echinocarpa (10.27%; Leguminosae-Papilionoideae). The identification of the pollen types and information about the resources offered by the plants indicated that many species were visited as nectar sources rather than as pollen or oil sources by Centris trigonoides. © 2013 Copyright Collegium Palynologicum Scandinavicum.