Distribution data on the family Melittidae (Hymenoptera) of Turkey with considerations about their importance as pollinators

摘要

The examination of specimens collected from various parts of Turkey, mainly from East Anatolia, and an overview of the literature allows us to reach the conclusion that the Melittidae of Turkey are represented by 3 genera, Dasypoda (14 species), Macropis (2 species), and Melitta (9 species), with a total of 25 species including Dasypoda toroki Michez, 2004, a new record for the Turkish fauna. Dasypoda hirtipes (Fabricius, 1793), Melitta (Melitta) leporina (Panzer, 1799), and M. dimidiata Morawitz, 1876 are the most widespread and abundant species. Dasypoda friesana Schletterer, 1890; D. longigena Schletterer, 1890; D. patinyi Michez, 2002; D. visnaga (Rossi, 1790); Melitta rasmonti Michez, 2007; M. nigricans Alfken, 1905; M. singular Michez, 2012; M. haemorrhoidalis; and M. melanura (Nylander, 1852) are very rare species and most are known from one locality only. The rest of the species are moderately distributed in Turkey. Five species of Dasypoda and 3 species of Melitta have type localities from Anatolia; of these, D. longigena, M. bicollaris, M. singular, M. rasmonti, and D. warnckei are endemic to Anatolia. New distribution areas were added for each species and the plant species visited were included. Although the genus Dasypoda visits mostly wild flowers, D. hirtipes also frequently visits sunflowers and it is an important pollinator of this plant. In the case of the genus Macropis, females collect oil and pollen from the flowers of Lysimachia (Primulaceae) as larval food. Melitta leporina, M. dimidiata, and M. bicollaris are important pollinators of fodder crops, such as alfalfa, sainfoin, and various clover species and some other legumes.