Bee research

There are about 25,000 bee species worldwide and they are providing essential ecosystem services as pollinators in natural and agricultural ecosystems

Bees are the most important pollinators of flowering plants and crops. Our research is based on the evolutionary history of bees and what environmental aspects effect their diversity.

The programme is focused on:

studying the taxonomy, systematics and biogeography of the bee genus Colletes
tracing the evolution and behaviour of Colletes bees
investigating bee species richness in the diversity 'hotspot' of the Cape of Africa
understanding processes in the evolution of flower specialisation in solitary bees and plant-pollinator interactions
running the Checklist of the Western Palaearctic Bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Anthophila)

Checklist of Western Palaeartic Bees

Colletes research

This research is looking at the taxonomy, systematics and biogeography of this important bee genus.
Bee diversity in South Africa

South Africa is the ideal place to study the evolution bees and plants.