Is there a positive correlation between bee size and size parameters of the flowers the bees visit for pollen to provision their nests?

Abstract

In this study I tested if there is a correlation between bee size and size parameters of flowers the bees visit for pollen. In the plant community evaluated there are not many characteristics restricting the use of pollen by bees. Most of the plants analysed have open corollas and/or present pollen with easy accessibility. Small bees can visit all sizes of flowers and they are more generalist; nevertheless large bees are not restricted to large flowers: they can also visit flowers with the alighting place smaller than their body size. Although the amount of pollen is important to attract a diverse and abundant rate of visitation this characteristic is not restrictive as the bees do not always visit flowers just in search of this resource. This was the first study analysing the flower characteristic from the pollen perspective. The results revealed that size of the alighting place, amount of food and the distance between pollen and nectar are important characteristics shaping the interaction between plants and bees. Key words: morphometric floral traits, pollen, bee size.

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