Levantamento florístico e perfil botânico do pólen (samburá) da abelha Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides Lepeletier, 1836 (Hymenoptera: Apidae) da Região Semiárida, Estado da Bahia

Abstract

Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides bee, known as mandaçaia, is endemic to Brazilian semiarid region, and it is an important pollinator of plants from the caatinga, with great potential for meliponiculture. Currently these bees have suffered severe reductions due to human activities such as deforestation and agricultural activities. Therefore it is necessary to maintain the ecosystem’s plant diversity where these bees are inserted to preserve their food sources. The aim of this study was identifying the plant species and the pollen types found in M. quadrifasciata anthidioides pollen (samburá) in a caatinga area from Bahia’s semiarid region. In order to do so, samples of “samburá” from 20 different colonies were monthly collected between May/2011 and April/2012. At the same period, a survey of flowering plants was carried out, within 500 m of the honey farm. Pollen analyzes were made according to the acetolysis method, followed by qualitative and quantitative analyzes of the grains. The flora survey reported 31 families, 61 genera and 85 plant species. The family which was richer in species was Fabaceae (17%). 17 pollen types were identified, distributed in 13 genera and 8 families. The pollen types that contributed the most to the bee diet were Mimosa arenosa and Mimosa tenuiflora. With these results it was possible to know the pollen sources used by M. quadrifasciata anthidioides and plant species with meliponicola interest, hence contributing to strengthening beekeeping in the semiarid region.