Floral Volatiles: A Promising Method to Access the Rare Nocturnal and Crepuscular Bees

Crepuscular and/or nocturnal bees fly during the dusk, dawn or part of night. Due to their short foraging time and sampling bias toward diurnal bees, are rarely collected poorly studied. So far, they have been mostly sampled with light Malaise traps. However, synthetic chemical compounds resembling floral volatiles were recently found be a promising alternative attract these bees. By reviewing available literature collecting original data, we present information on attraction scent-baited Bees actively captured entomological nets while approaching filter papers moistened distinct compound, passively caught in bottles scent baits left all data from Neotropics. Nocturnal belonging three genera, i.e., Ptiloglossa , Megalopta Megommation attracted at least ten different mixtures thereof, identified bouquets flowers anthesis. Aromatic compounds, such as 2-phenyletanol, eugenol methyl salicylate, monoterpenoid eucalyptol most successful attracting We highlight effectiveness olfactory methods survey crepuscular using typically reported constituents, possibility record preferences each bee species specific compounds. suggest include this method apifauna surveys order improve our current knowledge diversity ecosystems.