This work aimed to identify the main pollinators and study the floral biology of the yellow passion fruit cultivated in areas within different distances from forest remnants in north Rio de Janeiro state. The yellow passion fruit flowering lasted nine months, from September to March. Anthesis started at 12:00 h and the opening process lasted until 16:30 h. The styles bent down during the anthesis and 72.4% of the flowers had its styles curved. Nectar was produced continuously, reaching 18μl/flower/hour, and the total solute concentration varied between 38 and 42%. Xylocopa frontalis and Xylocopa ordinaria were the most effective yellow passion fruit pollinators because of their visit frequency, intrafloral behavior and body size. These bee species, besides Apis mellifera, were found in all the cultivated areas studied. The highest richness of pollinators was observed in cultivated areas closest to forest remnants. This fact is related to the presence of native bee groups, like Centridini and Euglossina bees (Apidae), which depend on forest areas for nesting and foraging. The forest remnant proximity is also important to provide the nesting and food resources needed by the Xylocopa population during the year.
Apidae; carpenter bees; forest fragments; Passifloraceae
