FLORAL RELATIOSHIPS OF BEES IN SELECTED AREAS OF SRI
LANKA
W. A. Inoka P. Karunaratne, Jayanthi P. Edirisinghe* and C. V. Savithri Gunatilleke1
Department of Zoology, 1Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya,
SriLanka.
ABSTRACT
This study represents the very first attempt to record the floral relations of bees of Sri Lanka. Floral
hosts of 117 bee species in 35 genera were recorded based on floral visits, pollen carriage and special
behaviour at flowers. Floral hosts comprised 154 plant species in 112 genera and 44 families. Majority of
the floral hosts were native plants of which most were weeds in their respective habitats. The exotic
naturalized weed, Hyptis suaveolense was exceptional in attracting 60 bee species. All five species of social
bees and majority of the solitary bees were polylectics foraging on pollen of a variety of unrelated flowers.
Seven solitary bee species were recognized as oligolectics foraging on species of Convolvulaceae and
Malvaceae having large spiny pollen. Sonication at tubular anthers of certain Solanaceae and
Melastomataceae flowers having concealed pollen was observed in 12 species of solitary bees. Nectar
robbing by males of five species of solitary bees was recorded from certain tubular–shaped flowers. Floral
relationships suggest that most bees are generalists and a few have become specialized to forage on specific
groups of flowers. The information gathered would be useful in pollination studies and in the management
and conservation of bees.