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International Journal of Zoology and Applied Biosciences Research Article

Received on: 05/16/2019

Revised on: 06/25/2019

Accepted on: 06/27/2019

Published on: 10/09/2019

  • Oyewole O.A., Oyelade O.J. and Ogbogu S.S.( 2019).

    Diversity assessment of bees (Hymenoptera) associated with crops and ornamental plant in Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria

    . International Journal of Zoology and Applied Biosciences, 4( 5), 195-206.

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Abstract

This study investigated the various species of bees in the Order Hymenoptera responsible for pollinating crop and ornamental plants in Obafemi Awolowo University (O.A.U.), Ile-Ife, and the study covered habitat preference, abundance and distribution of the bee species in various seasons. This was with a view to identifying and documenting the diversity of bees pollinating agricultural and ornamental plants for a meaningful conservation and management of insects in Nigeria. Bees collection was done using standard sweep net, to collect free range bees species on the sites. Standard yellow pan traps were also set using pineapple as bait to entice bees. Trapped bees were collected and baits were changed on daily basis. The bees were described and identified to species level using existing bee taxonomic keys. Host plants visited by the bee species were identified in the Natural History Museum Herbarium (UNIFEM) and Department of Botany Herbarium (IFE) in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Paleontological Statistic Software Package (PAST) was used to analyze the collected data. The results of the study revealed that five (5) families of the bees - Apidae, Andrenidae, Anthophoridae, Megachilidae and Halactidae visited the habitats in the study area. Twenty four (24) bee species belonging to these families were collected in the five (5) habitats over the studied period. The family Apidae recorded the largest prevalence of nineteen (19) species collected while the families Anthophoridae, Megachilidae and Halactidae recorded the least prevalence of one (1) species each. The bee species found to be most responsible for pollinating crop and ornamental plants in O.A.U. were Apis cerena, Apis mellifera and Apis dorsata. The habitat of preference is Habitat A (Teaching and Research farm). The month of August was the peak period of bees visit in the study area while the months of July, August and September reflect the optimum time of bee species prevalence. This coincided with the peak period of rainy season and full inflorescence of crop and ornamental plants. Bee species in the study area prefer Habitat A (Teaching and Research Farm) in O.A.U. especially the Genus Apis due to the abundance, diversity of ornamental and crop plants.

Keywords

Abundance, Prevalence, Diversity, Conservation, Species.