Comportamento higiênico da abelha uruçu (Melipona scutellaris Latreille, 1811) (Hymenoptera: apidae)

Abstract

The growth of meliponiculture favors the exchange of genetic material between meliponiculturists, increasing the risk of spreading diseases. In this sense, the health of the colonies becomes a concern, where knowledge of hygienic behavior in these species of bees can be decisive in guaranteeing health within the meliponary. This work aimed to evaluate the brood drilling method in M. scutellaris colonies, determined by its ability to detect and remove dead offspring. 46 M. scutellaris colonies housed in INPA model boxes were used. The method of piercing pupae with the aid of an entomological pin to determine the hygienic behavior in Apis mellifera was adjusted and used in both experiments. In the first, in each colony, 50 pupal cells (pink eye) were marked with Liqued Paper® type corrector, with 25 cells marked only with white corrector (control), and 25 cells marked with corrector colored with red aniline. After a period of 24 hours after marking, the stained cells were punctured and evaluated at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours after perforation, when the number of cells removed was quantified. For data analysis, mean and standard deviation tests were performed. Where an average removal of 7.71% of dead pupae was found and 2.56% of colonies showed hygienic behavior. In the second, in addition to pink eye pupae, last instar larvae were marked in strong and weak colonies, totaling four treatments. For data analysis, the 5% Tukey test was performed. There was a significant difference regarding the removal of off spring in the period of 72 and 96 hours, where the lavas were superior to the pupae. The brood piercing method can also be used in M. scutellaris, and it is recommended to use last instar larvae instead of pink eye pupa. Colonies of M. scutellaris showed hygienic behavior, which was not influenced by colony size.