Floral resources use by two species of Bombus in a subandean forest fragment (Pamplonita-Colombia)

Abstract

It is present the results of a palynological analysis of two species of the genus Bombus in vicinity of Pamplonita-Norte of Santander. On feces samples were identified and counted (april and may of 2010) 1585 grains of pollen, within which Solanaceae, Asteraceae, Malvaceae and Fabaceae were the more abundat taxa. With regard to the diversity, April was the most rich, diverse and dominant month; however in B. pullatus we observed greater wealth and dominance. Finally, it was possible to determine that a large percentage of pollen grains that were identified as Solanaceae correspond to Solanum quitoense. The results of this study make clear the importance of palynology at the time of establishing the diet of these species, in addition to reflect its role of those species as possible provider in ecosistemic services either in wild plant as a crops in Solanaceae case.

Keywords

• Polen
• palinología
• dieta
• Norte de Santander
• Hymenoptera, heces.