The melittofauna and its floral associations in a natural riparian forest in Buenos Aires province, Argentina

Abstract

This study estimates the diversity, abundance and floral associations of native wild bees present in a nature reserve in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The study included monthly sampling from September to April for two consecutive seasons (2011–2013). Bees were collected using entomological nets and pan traps along transects in the reserve area. A total of 1102 specimens belonging to 87 wild bee species/morphospecies in 37 genera of five families were collected. The families with the highest numbers of species were Apidae, followed by Halictidae and Megachilidae. A total of 63 species/morphospecies of plants belonging to 20 families were visited by bees. Asteraceae received the most visits, followed by Fabaceae and Onagraceae. Wild bee/plant interactions were studied through niche breadth and niche overlap. The highest values for niche breadth were found in two social species (Bombus pauloensis and Augochlora amphitrite) and niche overlap was predominantly low among bee species. Our results suggest that the nature reserve “Reserva Natural Integral Punta Lara” in northeastern Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, is an important natural area that supports a diverse community of wild bees.