No. 539] THE BEHAVIOR OF BEES 



(',70 



soms. This change of habit seemed to become quite gen- 

 eral at about the same period, for the writer noted it in 

 all parts of the cotton field. 



Throughout the period of observations the bees by 

 their behavior and varying numbers showed themselves 

 extremely sensitive to atmospheric changes, temperature 

 relations, air movements, moisture, sunshine, etc. At 

 times conditions even too obscure for human perception 

 may have regulated their activities. The composition of 

 the bee fauna to be observed in cotton fields shows much 

 variation, depending upon the time of day, prevailing 

 weather and seasonal influences. The position and expo- 

 sure of the cotton field with relation to various local phys- 

 iographic features, as type of soil, nearness to woods, 

 swamps, hills and other crops also greatly influence the 

 relative numbers and kinds of bees. 



While carrying on his observations the writer noted 

 that the bees, Melissodes, were exceedingly abundant 

 among cotton grown on certain heavy, red-clay soils. 

 These bees were much less abundant in fields on the 

 lighter, sandy loams in some other localities. Honey bees 

 are especially noticeable near bee trees or domestic hives. 

 The marked abundance of other bees in particular 

 localities likewise probably depends upon the proximity 

 of the plants to their favorite breeding places. 



Nectar glands are especially abundant on the cotton 

 plant, including the leaves as well as the blossoms. The 

 blossoms are supplied with several sets of nectaries. 

 Cotton blossoms with their abundant supplies of readily 

 accessible pollen and nectar and their open structure 

 exclude few insect visitors. It follows that a consider- 

 able number of species of bees, wasps and other insects 

 are at all times especially common visitors among cotton 

 blossoms. 



During the time the experiments previously described 

 were in progress nearly 2,000 bees were observed to per- 

 ceive, inspect or enter the blossoms and other material 

 involved. 1,645 of these visits were distributed as 

 follows: 1,381 or 83.9 per cent, were by species of Melts- 



