Fontes polínicas para Melipona scutellaris Latreille, 1811 (Hymenoptera: Apidae) em uma área de cultivo do cafeeiro na região semiárida da Bahia

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the potential of beekeeping pasture and indicate the floral resources used by Melipona scutellaris Latreille, 1811 (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in a coffee cultivation area in the semiarid region of Bahia state. The experiment was carried out over three distinct periods, before (October 2012), during (November 2012) and after (March 2013) coffee tree blossoming. In each period, a survey of flowering plants was carried out in a radius of 2.000 m from the meliponary installed in the study area. During the three periods between 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 pm working honeybee returning to the colonies with pollen loads were collected. In periods also informed honey samples were collected operculated pots. A total of 117 pollen loads and 15 honey samples were subjected to acetolysis method and then qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. The floristic survey recorded 64 species ranging 54 genera, distributed in 30 botanical families, with the Fabaceae family having more representatives. 40 pollen types in pollen loads plus 33 honey samples were identified. The types Poincianella pyramidalis, Coffea arabica, Commelina villosa, Mimosa tenuiflora,, Myrcia type , Senna macranthera, Solanum type and Syagrus coronata were the most representative in M. scutellaris’ protein diet , while Eucalyptus and Machaerium types being more present on their energy diet. These pollen types are highly attractive to bees from the Melipona genus. Knowing the local flora, the pollen types on the pollen loads and the honeys allows a botanical characterization of M. scutellaris’s products from Bahia semiarid area.