Pollen sources used by species of Meliponini (Hymenoptera: Apidae) along the Rio Negro channel in Amazonas, Brazil

• Published in: Grana 2011-06, Vol.50 (2), p.150-161
• Main Authors: Rech, André Rodrigo, Lúcia Absy, Maria
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Apidae; Bees; cluster analysis; meliponiculture; nests; Pollen; pollen identification; pollination; Stingless bees; trophic interaction; wet season
• ISSN: 1651-2049; 0017-3134; 1651-2049
• DOI: 10.1080/00173134.2011.579621

This work analyses the pollen stored by Meliponini bees whose nests were sampled along the Rio Negro channel, Amazonas, Brazil, during the final phase of the rainy season, which is also the time of pollen scarcity. From a total of 51 samples studied, 78 pollen types were identified, of which 39 were determined to species level. The pollen types were from 70 genera and 42 families. Based on the pollen records, a clustering analysis was performed, as well as the calculation of the trophic overlap index. The study demonstrates that the plants used by the bees do not depend on them for pollination in most cases; it rather suggests scarcity of pollen resources from the plants adapted to the pollination of Meliponini, and emphasises the ability of such bees to switch to new available resources. This work indicates a list of important plants for meliponiculture suitable for cultures near meliponaries.