The endangered Iris atropurpurea (Iridaceae) in Israel: honey-bees night-sheltering male bees and female solitary bees as pollinators

摘要

Background and AimsThe coastal plain of Israel hosts the last few remaining populations of the endemic Iris atropurpurea (Iridaceae), a Red List species of high conservation priority. The flowers offer no nectar reward. Here the role of night-sheltering male solitary bees, honey-bees and female solitary bees as pollinators of I. atropurpurea is documented.