The work was conducted in an experimental area of UNEB in Juazeiro, Bahia, Brazil, in 2010 and 2011, with the aim of describing aspects of phenology, floral biology and performance of floral visitors of melon type yellow, to contribute to the management of hives of Apis mellifera L., in the region of the São Francisco Valey. In November 2010, an average of 22,7±2,6 days of blooming were observed, with emission of exclusively male flowers until the second day, and emission of hermaphrodite flowers for 16 days. In May 2011, the average blooming days was 19,3±4,3 and male flowers production only until the fourth day and hermaphrodite flowers production for 20 days. The average number of flowers per plant and the sex ratio were 96,2±4,2 and 1:16 in November 2010, and 67,1±17,7 and 1:19, in May 2011, respectively. The hermaphrodite flowers had higher nectar volume than the male ones in both periods, and this could be the probable cause of the higher number of visits received by such floral type. The highest number of visits occurred in the morning, and pollen collection was especially high from 7:00 am to 11:00 am.
pollination; floral visitors; Cucumis melo L
