33 
charge and also by others in the different places I visited, that the 
blossoms begin to fade and gradually drop in from 36-48 hours at the 
most remaining for « little over two days. By the evening of the 
29th, some of the blossoms which had opencd early on the morping of 
the previous day were noted to fade and hardly any insect was observed 
to visit such flowers. I think fertilization takes place very soon after 
the blossoms open. The best time for observing coftec-visiting insects, 
especially those which are likely to play a part in pollination, is, I 
think, the very first day. I remained at Hansey for the two days 29th 
and 30th, observing insects visiting old as well as new blossoms and 
also collecting all other available insects on the estate. 
8. As in the case of several garden plants which, when in blossom, 
are visited by numerous insects even on the plains, I expected to come 
across a good many insects on coffee blossoms, but it was disappoint- 
ment. 
There were comparatively few insects visiting Huwers compared 
to the very rich insect fauna of the tract. 
The following tabular 
statement shows the insects noted on coffee flowers with some observa- 
tions on each :— 
3) See Time of 
z Name. visitin Remarks. 
g the insect flow ca 
| belongs. 
1| Hymenoptera] Apis dorsata. | Found all|‘Uhis insect (Rock Bee) was found fairly 
(Apidae). through | common. They are found singly generally, 
Bees. the day | unlike the other bee. Found collecting 
but pollen chiefly. Probably plays some part 
common | in fertilization. 
between 
8 aM. 
and 2 P.M. 
2 Do. Apis indica. | From early | The commonest of all insects I found visiting 
: morning | coffee blossoms. More than one bee is 
on to| found in the same flower. Extremely 
sunset, active both as a pollen collector and a 
feeder of nectar. 
3 Do. Melipona .. | Common This is the insect often called in the verna- 
soon after | cular—the mosquito-bee. It is an in- 
sunrise. different feeder visiting flowers as well as 
rotting fruits, ete. Five or six of them 
5 are often found on the same flower— 
chiefly feeding. 
4 Do. Anthophora | Commoner | Fairly common but not as common 38 Apis 
zonata. during indica but commoner than dorsata. Dili- 
midday. gent in collecting pollen with its charae- 
; teristic hum. 
5| Hymenoptera] Polistes Early Several] found together, feeds on the nectar. 
(apide). stigma. mornivg. | The delicate paper nests of them are found 
asp. attached to coffee leaves.: 
6) Hymenoptera) Megachile Only in| Actively colleots pollen in the pollen brush. 
Apidae). umbripennis els sun | Sometimes also found cutting leaves, 
Bee. ight. 
7| Hymenoptera) Odynerus Allday .. This is a small solitary wasp often found 
(Wasp). fragilis. hidden inside a flower. 1 think it feeds on 
the nectar. It is also likely that it comes 
in to look for caterpillars which it has the 
habit of collecting and storing. 
8| Hymenoptera} Ceratina All midday | Not common. Stray specimens come and 
(Bee). hierogly- sit on the flower, not found to remain even 
phica. a short time on the flower. It is a very 
smal] bee. 
