Distribution, biology and flower relationships of fideliid bees of southern Africa (Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Fideliidae)

Abstract

Fideliids are ground-nesting bees, covered in a dense pale straw to brown pile, with pollen being carried on an abdominal scopa. Fidelia paradoxa, F. villosa and F. kobrowi are restricted to flowers of the Mesembryanthemaceae, and Parafidella major and two new Parafidelia species to Grielum and Neuradopsls (Roseaceae). Parafidelia ornata collects pollen mainly from Tribulus and Tribulocarpus and P. pallidula only from Sisyndite (Zygophyllaceae). Parafidelia friesei visits flowers of Sesamum (Pedaliaceae) and Fidelia braunsiana is confined to Berkheya (Asteraceae). The rainfall pattern divides the species into early summer bees (7 species) of the winter rainfall and autumn bees (4 species) of the summer rainfall areas. Two of the above species have populations in both regions. The winter rainfall bees have a south-western distribution with Graaff-Reinet the eastern limit but the summer rainfall species occur further north, with the eastern Botswana border their eastern limit and Keimoes on the Orange River their southern limit.