Assessment of bees (Hymentoptera: apidae) diversity in agroecosystems of central forest-steppe zone of Ukraine

Abstract

The objective of the study was the assessment of bees (domestic, wild, bumblebees) diversity in different types of ecotopes in agroecosystems of Central Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine. Bee communities were investigated in agrocenosis, semi-natural habitats and ecotones between on territories of 6 farms. In total were sampled 1131 individuals of bees that were presented by 60 species. Species composition, density and richness of bees were investigated. Indexes of Shannon, Simpson and Sorensen were used for biodiversity analysis. The results indicated that the species richness of bees grows by gradient: agrocenosis – seminatural habitat – ecotone. The most common and spread species were Apis mellifera L., Bombus lapidarius L., B. terrestris L., Halictus simplex Blüthgen, Systropha curvicornis Scopoli, Lasioglossum leucozonium Schrank. Density of Apidae increases in agrocenosis and falls in semi-natural habitats. Forming of bees fauna in agrocenosis depends from fauna of semi-natural habitats. Availability of ecotones promotes increasing of bee diversity in agroecosystems because it performs preservation function for biota and improves the spreading of bees and other species.