Role of wild and honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) in the pollination of Vicia faba L. var. major (Fabaceae) in Constantine area (Algeria)

Pollinating insects of Vicia faba L. in Constantine area (Algeria) were studied during flowering season of the years 2000, 2001 and 2002. Eight bee species were observed. The wild bee Eucera numida Lepeletier and the honey bee Apis mellifera L. were the most abundant pollinators. Eucera numida seems the most effective pollinator. Their visits are all able to fertilize the flowers. On the contrary, a third of the floral visits of the honey bee are nectar robbery through the holes made by the bumblebees at the base of the corolla. The floral visits of Eucera numida are also faster (m = 10 visits per minute) and the bee trips more easily the faba bean flowers than A. mellifera. The plants that are accessible to pollinators provide more pods per plant, more seeds per pods, and the seeds are heavier and of better shape than the encaged plants.