Bees visiting flowers of Thymus longicaulis (Lamiaceae)

The aim of this study was to investigate on the bee fauna foraging on Thymus longicaulis flowers. Samplings were conducted walking along a transect during T. longicaulis bloom period (April-June). A total of 547 bee specimens, belonging to 40 different species, were recorded during the survey. Apis mellifera and Bombus terrestris were the most abundant visitors that foraged on thyme. Pollen grains collected on the bodies of the bees suggest that these pollinators may play an important role in the pollination of this plant.