ABUNDANCE AND ACTIVITY OF COLLETES BEES ON VISNAGA FLOWERS IN EGYPT.

The abundance and activity of Colfetes bees were studied in 1989 during the blooming period in Giza and Qalubiya Governorates. Four species of Colletes bees were found visiting and pollinating flowers of visnaga in both localities. Colletes nanus was the most abundant and active species in the two localities constituting 56.8% and 56.6% of the total catch at Giza and Qalubya, respectively. Three peaks of abundance were observed in Giza locality and two peaks wre found in Qalubiya locality. Colletes lacu‌natus ca. m.e next in abundance, constituting 22.9% of the total catch with two peaks of activity in Giza and 28.8 % with three peaks in Qalu‌biya. Other species were less abundant and less active. Individuals of C. nanus were found on the flowers from 9 a.m. un‌til 5 p.m in the investigated areas, reaching their maximum activity around 1 p.m. The other species were most active between 11a.m and 1 p.m and their activity ended around 3p. m. in both areas.