Foraging patterns of bees on watermelon (<em>Citrullus lanatus</em> Thunb.) flowers in Panama

Watermelon is one of the most important fruit crops in world, but their flowers require bees for pollination. In this study we determine bee species visiting watermelon flowers, daily visits and resource they forage during 84 observation days on Los Santos, Panama. Native bees, especially stingless represented visits, so probably play a very role pollination within zone. The frequent were N. perilampoides (58.7%), A. mellifera (23%), P. peckolti (4%). Most foraged nectar, with similar numbers between staminate pistillate flowers. Honeybees dedicated almost half (47.7%) pollen collection, made 7:00 8:00 hours, whereas picked up 9:00 hours. Nectar shorter than overall, honeybees shortest to We found significant differences foraging patterns resources period (Friedman P<0.05). also characteristics (size, color sociability) hour day significantly influenced flower (GLMM Our results can be useful predicting behavior some Central American species, managing protecting those improving production local crops.