Canopy observations of the rain forest tree Parkia velutina (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae) in Amazonian Brazil indicate that it is pollinated by night-flying bees. The small red flowers are organized into spherical heads; they open in the late afternoon and attract Megalopta bees (Halictidae: Augochlorini) which forage for pollen after dark. In contrast to the numerous bat-pollinated species of Parkia, no nectar was detected. Nocturnal melittophily is proposed as a possible intermediate stage in the evolution of chiropterophily from diurnal entomophily in Parkia.
http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayJournal?jid=TRO The final, definitive version of this article has been published in the Journal, Journal of Tropical Ecology, 16 (5), pp 733-746 2000, © 2000 Cambridge University Press.