Diversity and efficiency of the pollinating entomofauna (Hymenoptera : Apidae) of Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) in two locations in France and Spain

The pollinating entomofauna of faba bean, compared in two locations (Rennes in Brittany and Cordoba in Andalucia), is poorly diversified but very diff erent. In France, it is composed of Bombus terrestris L. (or B. lucorun L.) and of honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) which are nor very numerous (number o f insects/1000 flowers) and sporadic because of climatic conditions. In Spa in, it is mainly composed of one species of Eucera (Eucera numida Lep.) whi ch behaves as a positive pollinator and which is present at high density an d frequency. Moreover, in France, the insects often behave as robbers. So, the number of positively visited flowers is 32 times higher in Spain than i n France and the insects move more frequently from plant to plant. That cou ld induce a higher outcrossing rate at this location and lead to use a suit able breeding strategy of faba bean for each location.