The bee community of ilha das flores, babitonga bay, santa catarina state, Brazil

This study carried out a survey of native bee species and their floral resources at Ilha das Flores, an island located in the Babitonga Bay, Santa Catarina State, Brazil. Specimens were captured with entomological nets, pantraps and aromatic baits. A total of 1,120 individual bees, representing 60 species distributed in four families and 47 plant species of 24 families, was sampled. Buzz-pollination by Centridini, Xylocopini and Bombini on Fabaceae plants, specific interaction between Emphorini and Convovulaceae and illegitimate visits were observed. Seasonal nesting was noticed. There was high diversity and equitability while dominance was low. Decrease of bees’ richness and abundance in relation to the mainland, lack of Meliponini, high number of Dialictus sp. and the occurrence of the genus Hylaeus was remarked. Similarity was great with the continent, suggesting colonization from the mainland. Insularity seems to have played a role in bee assortment. The present bee community is probably due to palaeo environmental events that shaped the Babitonga Bay.