Abstract
Semi-agricultural fields are part of the rural and urban landscape of Sri Lanka. This study examines the bees that forage and nest in a semi-agricultural field within the University Park. A year round study in the 11 ha site yielded 53 species of bees in 27 genera and 3 families. Their foraging plants consisted of 31 plant species in 17 plant families that included crops, weeds and trees. The majority of the bees were generalists with only a few confined to specific crops (okra and eggplant) and weeds (Ipomoea spp.). Nearly half the number of bee species at the site foraged on the weeds Sesamum rudiatum and Ipomoea mauritiana. Eleven species of bees nested at the study site. The rich bee fauna amounting to more than 1/3;rd the number recorded for Sri Lanka is attributed to the short-term cultivation of vegetables, the variety of flowering weeds present year round and the agronomic practices that favour nesting.
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