Contributions on the current knowledge of the diversity of the Megachilidae (Apoidea: Hymenoptera) fauna in the Mediterranean Region of Turkey

Abstract

The faunal composition and the floral visitation patterns of Megachilidae (Apoidea: Hymenoptera) species in the Mediterranean region of southern Turkey were investigated. Field studies were performed at spring and summer seasons of 2008 and 2009. The study was conducted in fourteen provinces. Four hundred-nine bee specimens were captured from 17 genera and 74 species. Seventy-one plant species were found related with these bees. Sampling date and elevation data were also evaluated to figure out the seasonal activity and altitude choice of bees. Anthidiellum crassepunctatum (Popov, 1935) and Megachile lefebvrei Lepeletier, 1841 were new records for Turkey. Coelioxys acanthura (Illiger, 1806), M. deceptoria Perez 1890, M. pilicrus Morawitz 1877, M. willughbiella (Kirby, 1802) and Rhodanthidium exsectum (Pasteels, 1969) were new records for the Mediterranean Turkey.