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The diversity and abundance of bumblebees (Bombus Latr.) in eight parks of Warsaw city and the impact of park size (range from 1.9 to 73 ha) as well as other selected characteristics (the percentage of the area covered by tree and the quality of park surroundings) on the bumblebee community were evaluated. In each park, bumblebees were observed along designated paths for 30 minutes. In total, 12 species of bumblebees were recorded, of which four belonged to cuckoo bumblebees (Psithyrus subgenus

This paper presents data on bees of the families Megachilidae and Apidae (Apoidea) of the proposed nature reserve "Skarpa Wiślana" in Męćaemierz (Kazimierski Landscape Park). Distributional and phenological data are given. Thirty-one species of Megachilidae and forty-three species of Apidae were collected. For rare and very rare species (Anthidium oblongatum (ILLIGER, 1806); Heriades crenulatus NYLANDER, 1856; Hoplitis claviventris (THOMSON,1872); Hoplitis papaveris (LATREILLE, 1799); Megachile genalis MORAWITZ, 1880; Osmia cerinthidis MORAWITZ, 1876; Stelis odontopyga NOSKIEWICZ, 1926; Stelis ornatula (KLUG,1807); Epeoloides coecutiens (F ABRICIUS , 1775); Eucera interrupta BAER, 1850; Nomada bifasciata OLIVIER, 1811; Nomada stigma FABRICIUS, 1804; Nomada zonata PANZER, 1798) this paper summarizes information about their distribution in 21st century in Poland, as well as data on their bionomics and their present status of threat in Europe.

An increasing number of studies show that urbanized areas are habitats of high biological value and ecological significance. Most bee species live in areas altered by man, either in cities - fragmented urban habitats - or in large rural monocultures. Our research is based on three-year observations of population development of the solitary bee Osmia rufa L. in three habitat types: city, suburbs and villages. We compared reproductive parameters and diversity of accompanying nest fauna. Population growth rate was high in all habitats, exceeding five times the number of cocoons placed in the previous year. We found no significant differences in the number of cocoons and brood mortality between areas with different urbanization levels. In nests located in suburbs, parasites and cleptoparasites occupied almost three times more nest chambers than in other habitats. Changes in the habitat structure had a significant impact on the diversity and abundance of accompanying fauna. Our study shows that red mason bees are flexible and easily adapt to new conditions, despite changes caused by urbanization and agriculture.

The paper presents the first record of Lithurgus cornutus (Fabricius, 1787) in Poland. Until recently, bees of the genus Lithurgus have not been recorded in Poland. Five females and one male of L. cornutus were caught in Lublin Region, SE Poland. The localities are beyond the range of this species, being the northernmost known records from Central Europe. The following information is provided: short diagnosis, ecology, distribution, recent records and threat status of L. cornutus in Central Europe.

The pollen analysis is currently the only reliable test to determine honey variety, but the results are sometimes burdened with error. The main reason for this is additional pollen that got into honey in a way other than with nectar collected by bees but through the centrifugation of combs containing bee bread cells. Studies were conducted in 2012 - 2013 on how different numbers of bee bread cells placed in the honey super influence lime honey pollen analysis. Bee bread pollen getting into honey during extraction in centrifugal-force honey extractors was proven to significantly influence the results of pollen analysis. In some extreme cases, it might skew the results so much that correct determination of honey variety by pollen analysis is no longer possible.

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