Ecology and Natural History of Tropical Bees

The full fascinating natural histories and the ecology of the numerous varieties of tropical bees is presented in this highly-acclaimed volume, first published in 1989.

David W. Roubik (Edited by)

9780521429092, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 29 May 1992

526 pages, 67 b/w illus.
22.8 x 15.2 x 2.6 cm, 0.7 kg

' … it should be on the shelves of anyone interested in bees, insects or the ecology of the tropics.' New Scientist

Humans have been fascinated by bees for centuries. Bees display a wide spectrum of behaviours and ecological roles that have provided biologists with a vast amount of material for study. Among the types observed are both social and solitary bees, those that either pollinate or destroy flowers, and those that display traits allowing them to survive underwater. Others fly mainly at night, and some build their nests either in the ground or in the tallest rain forest trees. This highly acclaimed book summarises and interprets research from around the world on tropical bee diversity and draws together major themes in ecology, natural history and evolution. The numerous photographs and line illustrations, and the large reference section, qualify this book as a field guide and reference for workers in tropical and temperate research. The fascinating ecology and natural history of these bees will also provide absorbing reading for other ecologists and naturalists. This book was first published in 1989.

Preface
Acknowledgments
Part I. Introduction: 1. Approaches to tropical bee biology
2. Diversity of tropical bees
Part II. Foraging and Pollination: 3. Resources gathered by bees
4. Mechanisms of resource collection
5. Foraging and flight activity
6. Pollination ecology
Part III. Nesting and Reproduction Biology: 7. Bee nests
8. Nest predators, associates and defense
9. Mating and brood production
Part IV. Community Ecology: 10. Seasonality, abundance and flower preference
11. Composition of bee assemblages
12. Roles of bees in communities
References
Index
Appendices.

Subject Areas: Insects [entomology PSVT7], Animal ecology [PSVS]