Pollination of Turnera subulata: exotic or native bees? / Polinização de Turnera subulata: abelhas exóticas ou nativas?

This work analyzed floral visitors of Turnera subulata Sm. (Turneraceae) within an anthropized area in Bahia (UEFS Campus), focusing on potential pollinators, fruit and seed production and the influence of climatic factors on this interaction. The study was carried during six months in 2018 and 2019. Aspects of floral biology and visitor behavior were observed. Turnera subulata flowers lasted approximately six hours and during this period they were exposed to visitors at different intervals to assess the peak time of fruit formation. The most frequent visitors were the bees Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758, Trigona sp., Augochlora sp. and Protomeliturga turnerae (Ducke, 1907). The foraging peak occurred in the morning, coinciding with the time of greatest formation of fruits and seeds, and with the time of greatest number of open flowers. Both exotic and native bees acted as potential pollinators, being considered complementary in the flower pollination process.

Este trabalho analisou visitantes florais de Turnera subulata Sm. (Turneraceae) em área antropizada na Bahia (Campus UEFS), com foco nos potenciais polinizadores, na produção de frutos e sementes e na influência dos fatores climáticos nesta interação. O estudo foi realizado durante seis meses em 2018 e 2019. Foram observados aspectos da biologia floral e comportamento do visitante. As flores de T. subulata duraram aproximadamente seis horas e durante este período foram expostas aos visitantes em diferentes intervalos para avaliar o pico de formação dos frutos. Os visitantes mais frequentes foram as abelhas Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758, Trigona sp., Augochlora sp. e Protomeliturga turnerae (Ducke, 1907). O pico de forrageamento ocorreu pela manhã, coincidindo com o momento de maior formação de frutos e sementes, e com o maior número de flores abertas. Tanto as abelhas exóticas quanto as nativas atuaram como potenciais polinizadores, sendo consideradas complementares no processo de polinização das flores.

Pollination efficiency on Ipomoea bahiensis (Convolvulaceae): morphological and behavioural aspects of floral visitors

Pollination depends on morphological and behavioural adjustments between visitors and plants. Some plant species as Ipomoea bahiensis (Convolvulaceae) provide nectar and pollen to visitors and occur in anthropic areas, therefore becoming an important source of resources for the maintenance of native pollinating insects. However, what is the efficiency of each floral visitor species for the pollination of this plant species? What morphological and behavioural characteristics determine the pollinators? In this regard, this study evaluated the I. bahiensis flower and visitor morphology in a semi-arid area and the foraging behaviour of these floral visitors. Also, the efficiency rate of potential pollinators was quantified. Bees and butterflies visited the flowers of I. bahiensis, but the bees Melitoma spp., Apis mellifera (Linnaeus, 1758), and Pseudaugochlora pandora (Smith, 1853) were the most frequent visitors. These species presented medium-sized and compatible with the floral tube width. In addition to the size, these bees presented behaviour that favoured the contact with the reproductive structures of the flower, as evidenced by the efficiency test of the flower visits. Although butterflies often collect nectar from the flowers, they do not present characteristics that could result in pollination. Hence, medium-sized bees played the role of efficient pollinator of I. bahiensis.(AU)

Pollination efficiency on Ipomoea bahiensis (Convolvulaceae): morphological and behavioural aspects of floral visitors

Pollination depends on morphological and behavioural adjustments between visitors and plants. Some plant species as Ipomoea bahiensis (Convolvulaceae) provide nectar and pollen to visitors and occur in anthropic areas, therefore becoming an important source of resources for the maintenance of native pollinating insects. However, what is the efficiency of each floral visitor species for the pollination of this plant species? What morphological and behavioural characteristics determine the pollinators? In this regard, this study evaluated the I. bahiensis flower and visitor morphology in a semi-arid area and the foraging behaviour of these floral visitors. Also, the efficiency rate of potential pollinators was quantified. Bees and butterflies visited the flowers of I. bahiensis, but the bees Melitoma spp., Apis mellifera (Linnaeus, 1758), and Pseudaugochlora pandora (Smith, 1853) were the most frequent visitors. These species presented medium-sized and compatible with the floral tube width. In addition to the size, these bees presented behaviour that favoured the contact with the reproductive structures of the flower, as evidenced by the efficiency test of the flower visits. Although butterflies often collect nectar from the flowers, they do not present characteristics that could result in pollination. Hence, medium-sized bees played the role of efficient pollinator of I. bahiensis.

Pollination efficiency on Ipomoea bahiensis (Convolvulaceae): morphological and behavioural aspects of floral visitors

ABSTRACT: Pollination depends on morphological and behavioural adjustments between visitors and plants. Some plant species as Ipomoea bahiensis (Convolvulaceae) provide nectar and pollen to visitors and occur in anthropic areas, therefore becoming an important source of resources for the maintenance of native pollinating insects. However, what is the efficiency of each floral visitor species for the pollination of this plant species? What morphological and behavioural characteristics determine the pollinators? In this regard, this study evaluated the I. bahiensis flower and visitor morphology in a semi-arid area and the foraging behaviour of these floral visitors. Also, the efficiency rate of potential pollinators was quantified. Bees and butterflies visited the flowers of I. bahiensis, but the bees Melitoma spp., Apis mellifera (Linnaeus, 1758), and Pseudaugochlora pandora (Smith, 1853) were the most frequent visitors. These species presented medium-sized and compatible with the floral tube width. In addition to the size, these bees presented behaviour that favoured the contact with the reproductive structures of the flower, as evidenced by the efficiency test of the flower visits. Although butterflies often collect nectar from the flowers, they do not present characteristics that could result in pollination. Hence, medium-sized bees played the role of efficient pollinator of I. bahiensis.

The efficiency of bees in pollinating ephemeral flowers of Jacquemontia bracteosa (Convolvulaceae)

The family Convolvulaceae is widely distributed in tropical regions, mainly in open areas. Convolvulaceae flowers are characterized mainly by being beautiful and ephemeral, attracting many flower visitors that belong to different taxonomic groups. This work aimed to investigate the interactions between insects and flowers of Jacquemontia bracteosa (Convolvulaceae), focusing on the pollination efficiency, in an area in the Brazilian semiarid. From November 2011 to October 2012, floral biology of J. bracteosa was investigated as well as the flower visit frequency, behavior, and morphology of floral visitors. The flowers of J. bracteosa are white, showy and open early in the morning, lasting less than 12 hours, with fruiting occurring both by selfing and outcrossing fecundation. A total of 337 specimens insects were collected on J. bracteosa flowers during the field observations. The Neotropical bee, Ancyloscelis apiformis, was considered the most efficient pollinator of J. bracteosa. This bee showed appropriate behavior, high frequency (64% of the total sample), and was constant on the flowers. Furthermore, they arrived soon when the flowers began to open and presented 90% of efficiency in tests of flower pollination of J. bracteosa. Other native bee species also visited the flowers of J. bracteosa and may be considered potential pollinators because they presented behavior and morphology compatible with the flowers. This study suggests that maintenance of weeds or ruderal plants, especially those that also have ornamental potential in anthropic area, may be an option for the preservation of local native pollinators, which are threatened by environmental degradation.(AU)

The efficiency of bees in pollinating ephemeral flowers of Jacquemontia bracteosa (Convolvulaceae)

The family Convolvulaceae is widely distributed in tropical regions, mainly in open areas. Convolvulaceae flowers are characterized mainly by being beautiful and ephemeral, attracting many flower visitors that belong to different taxonomic groups. This work aimed to investigate the interactions between insects and flowers of Jacquemontia bracteosa (Convolvulaceae), focusing on the pollination efficiency, in an area in the Brazilian semiarid. From November 2011 to October 2012, floral biology of J. bracteosa was investigated as well as the flower visit frequency, behavior, and morphology of floral visitors. The flowers of J. bracteosa are white, showy and open early in the morning, lasting less than 12 hours, with fruiting occurring both by selfing and outcrossing fecundation. A total of 337 specimens insects were collected on J. bracteosa flowers during the field observations. The Neotropical bee, Ancyloscelis apiformis, was considered the most efficient pollinator of J. bracteosa. This bee showed appropriate behavior, high frequency (64% of the total sample), and was constant on the flowers. Furthermore, they arrived soon when the flowers began to open and presented 90% of efficiency in tests of flower pollination of J. bracteosa. Other native bee species also visited the flowers of J. bracteosa and may be considered potential pollinators because they presented behavior and morphology compatible with the flowers. This study suggests that maintenance of weeds or ruderal plants, especially those that also have ornamental potential in anthropic area, may be an option for the preservation of local native pollinators, which are threatened by environmental degradation.

The efficiency of bees in pollinating ephemeral flowers of Jacquemontia bracteosa (Convolvulaceae)

ABSTRACT The family Convolvulaceae is widely distributed in tropical regions, mainly in open areas. Convolvulaceae flowers are characterized mainly by being beautiful and ephemeral, attracting many flower visitors that belong to different taxonomic groups. This work aimed to investigate the interactions between insects and flowers of Jacquemontia bracteosa (Convolvulaceae), focusing on the pollination efficiency, in an area in the Brazilian semiarid. From November 2011 to October 2012, floral biology of J. bracteosa was investigated as well as the flower visit frequency, behavior, and morphology of floral visitors. The flowers of J. bracteosa are white, showy and open early in the morning, lasting less than 12 hours, with fruiting occurring both by selfing and outcrossing fecundation. A total of 337 specimens insects were collected on J. bracteosa flowers during the field observations. The Neotropical bee, Ancyloscelis apiformis, was considered the most efficient pollinator of J. bracteosa. This bee showed appropriate behavior, high frequency (64% of the total sample), and was constant on the flowers. Furthermore, they arrived soon when the flowers began to open and presented 90% of efficiency in tests of flower pollination of J. bracteosa. Other native bee species also visited the flowers of J. bracteosa and may be considered potential pollinators because they presented behavior and morphology compatible with the flowers. This study suggests that maintenance of weeds or ruderal plants, especially those that also have ornamental potential in anthropic area, may be an option for the preservation of local native pollinators, which are threatened by environmental degradation.

Daily activity patterns of visits by males of four species of Eulaema (Apidae: Euglossina) to odor baits in a tropical forest fragment in Bahia, Brasil

Several studies have been conducted with bees of the subtribe Euglossina using odor baits as attractants. The objective of this study was to analyze the daily activity pattern of visits by males of four species of Eulaema - Eulaema nigrita Lepeletier, 1841, Eulaema flavescens (Friese, 1899), Eulaema cingulata (Fabricius, 1804) and Eulaema bombiformis (Packard, 1869) - to vanillin and benzyl acetate baits, and their relationship with climatic and environmental factors throughout the day in different months of the year in a tropical forest fragment in Bahia. Eulaema nigrita was the most frequent species on vanillin baits and E. flavescens was the most frequent species on benzyl acetate baits. The highest frequency of visits was observed in February and December. Activities started between 5:00 and 9:00 h. In February and November, visits of E. nigrita to the bait were observed daily, following a bimodal pattern. The same activity pattern was observed for E. bombiformis in December. Males of four species of Eulaema occurred in all remaining months in a unimodal daily activity pattern, with a higher frequency before 9:30 h. The correlation between the visiting activity to odor baits and climatic factors was low. This result can be due to bee flight activity occurring within a range of adequate climatic variation, particularly temperature, which in our study ranged from 23 to 32ºC. Daily activity patterns of Euglossina males on odor baits can represent patterns of flower fragrance collection under natural conditions, with visits usually at the time of highest production.

Daily activity patterns of visits by males of four species of Eulaema (Apidae: Euglossina) to odor baits in a tropical forest fragment in Bahia, Brasil

Several studies have been conducted with bees of the subtribe Euglossina using odor baits as attractants. The objective of this study was to analyze the daily activity pattern of visits by males of four species of Eulaema - Eulaema nigrita Lepeletier, 1841, Eulaema flavescens (Friese, 1899), Eulaema cingulata (Fabricius, 1804) and Eulaema bombiformis (Packard, 1869) - to vanillin and benzyl acetate baits, and their relationship with climatic and environmental factors throughout the day in different months of the year in a tropical forest fragment in Bahia. Eulaema nigrita was the most frequent species on vanillin baits and E. flavescens was the most frequent species on benzyl acetate baits. The highest frequency of visits was observed in February and December. Activities started between 5:00 and 9:00 h. In February and November, visits of E. nigrita to the bait were observed daily, following a bimodal pattern. The same activity pattern was observed for E. bombiformis in December. Males of four species of Eulaema occurred in all remaining months in a unimodal daily activity pattern, with a higher frequency before 9:30 h. The correlation between the visiting activity to odor baits and climatic factors was low. This result can be due to bee flight activity occurring within a range of adequate climatic variation, particularly temperature, which in our study ranged from 23 to 32ºC. Daily activity patterns of Euglossina males on odor baits can represent patterns of flower fragrance collection under natural conditions, with visits usually at the time of highest production.

Daily activity patterns of visits by males of four species of Eulaema (Apidae: Euglossina) to odor baits in a tropical forest fragment in Bahia, Brasil

Several studies have been conducted with bees of the subtribe Euglossina using odor baits as attractants. The objective of this study was to analyze the daily activity pattern of visits by males of four species of Eulaema - Eulaema nigrita Lepeletier, 1841, Eulaema flavescens (Friese, 1899), Eulaema cingulata (Fabricius, 1804) and Eulaema bombiformis (Packard, 1869) - to vanillin and benzyl acetate baits, and their relationship with climatic and environmental factors throughout the day in different months of the year in a tropical forest fragment in Bahia. Eulaema nigrita was the most frequent species on vanillin baits and E. flavescens was the most frequent species on benzyl acetate baits. The highest frequency of visits was observed in February and December. Activities started between 5:00 and 9:00 h. In February and November, visits of E. nigrita to the bait were observed daily, following a bimodal pattern. The same activity pattern was observed for E. bombiformis in December. Males of four species of Eulaema occurred in all remaining months in a unimodal daily activity pattern, with a higher frequency before 9:30 h. The correlation between the visiting activity to odor baits and climatic factors was low. This result can be due to bee flight activity occurring within a range of adequate climatic variation, particularly temperature, which in our study ranged from 23 to 32ºC. Daily activity patterns of Euglossina males on odor baits can represent patterns of flower fragrance collection under natural conditions, with visits usually at the time of highest production.

Atividades relacionadas à construção e aprovisionamento de ninhos de Xylocopa subcyanea (Hymenoptera, Apidae) em uma área de restinga na Bahia, Brasil

Bees of the genus Xylocopa Latreille, 1802 are frequent in sandbank ecosystems under accelerated degradation. They nest especially in dead or rotted wood. The nest construction and nest structure of Xylocopa (Schoenherria) subcyanea Perez, 1901 were studied in a sandbank from Bahia's north littoral, Brazil. We observed 43 active nests, under different stages of development, in two dead logs. The main activities were excavation of the logs, entering and leaving nest, permanence in the nest entrance, entering with pollen, and nectar dehydration. Preferential times along the day were observed for entering and leaving nest, showing influence of sunrise and sunset times. Abandoned nests were reused by X. subcyanea and Centris tarsata Smith, 1874. Active nests were occupied by four different adult bees. An individual frequently stayed at nest entrance, adopting a defensive behavior. The nest structure was described.

As abelhas do gênero Xylocopa Latreille, 1802 são comuns em ecossistemas de restingas em acelerada fase de degradação e são importantes polinizadores deste ecossistema. Elas nidificam especialmente em madeira morta ou apodrecida. As atividades relacionadas à construção e estrutura dos ninhos de Xylocopa (Schoenherria) subcyanea Perez, 1901 na restinga do litoral norte da Bahia, Brasil, foram observadas em 43 ninhos ativos de X. subcyanea, em diferentes fases de desenvolvimento, em dois troncos apodrecidos. A fase de fundação ou reuso no primeiro tronco foi em agosto e a fase de provisionamento das células nos ninhos, em ambos troncos, em janeiro. As principais atividades foram escavações no tronco, entrada e saída dos ninhos, permanência na entrada do ninho, entrada com pólen e desidratação de néctar. Foi observado horário preferencial ao longo do dia para as atividades de entrada e saída dos ninhos, sendo estas influenciadas pelos horários do nascer e pôr do sol. Ninhos abandonados foram reusados por X. subcyanea e Centris tarsata SMITH, 1874. Os ninhos ativos eram ocupados por quatro diferentes abelhas adultas. Geralmente, uma abelha ficava na entrada do ninho. A estrutura do ninho foi descrita.

Atividades relacionadas à construção e aprovisionamento de ninhos de Xylocopa subcyanea (Hymenoptera, Apidae) em uma área de restinga na Bahia, Brasil

Bees of the genus Xylocopa Latreille, 1802 are frequent in sandbank ecosystems under accelerated degradation. They nest especially in dead or rotted wood. The nest construction and nest structure of Xylocopa (Schoenherria) subcyanea Perez, 1901 were studied in a sandbank from Bahia's north littoral, Brazil. We observed 43 active nests, under different stages of development, in two dead logs. The main activities were excavation of the logs, entering and leaving nest, permanence in the nest entrance, entering with pollen, and nectar dehydration. Preferential times along the day were observed for entering and leaving nest, showing influence of sunrise and sunset times. Abandoned nests were reused by X. subcyanea and Centris tarsata Smith, 1874. Active nests were occupied by four different adult bees. An individual frequently stayed at nest entrance, adopting a defensive behavior. The nest structure was described.

As abelhas do gênero Xylocopa Latreille, 1802 são comuns em ecossistemas de restingas em acelerada fase de degradação e são importantes polinizadores deste ecossistema. Elas nidificam especialmente em madeira morta ou apodrecida. As atividades relacionadas à construção e estrutura dos ninhos de Xylocopa (Schoenherria) subcyanea Perez, 1901 na restinga do litoral norte da Bahia, Brasil, foram observadas em 43 ninhos ativos de X. subcyanea, em diferentes fases de desenvolvimento, em dois troncos apodrecidos. A fase de fundação ou reuso no primeiro tronco foi em agosto e a fase de provisionamento das células nos ninhos, em ambos troncos, em janeiro. As principais atividades foram escavações no tronco, entrada e saída dos ninhos, permanência na entrada do ninho, entrada com pólen e desidratação de néctar. Foi observado horário preferencial ao longo do dia para as atividades de entrada e saída dos ninhos, sendo estas influenciadas pelos horários do nascer e pôr do sol. Ninhos abandonados foram reusados por X. subcyanea e Centris tarsata SMITH, 1874. Os ninhos ativos eram ocupados por quatro diferentes abelhas adultas. Geralmente, uma abelha ficava na entrada do ninho. A estrutura do ninho foi descrita.

Atividade diária de busca de recursos pela vespa social Polybia occidentalis occidentalis (Olivier, 1791) (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)

We have registered data concerning the number of way outs and arrivals of the Polybia occidentalis occidentalis (Olivier, 1791) foragers, type of collected resource, the schedule for each observation, temperature, air humidity and insolation. The glucidic resource collection was the main food collection activity done by colonies of P. o. occidentalis, followed by prey collection and collection of wood pulp for nests construction. There has been well-marked differences between the schedule of food resource collections (9:20 a.m. to 2:20 p.m.) and resources for nests construction (8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.). The intensity of food resources collection by P. o. occidentalis is highly dependent on the, temperature conditions and air humidity. There has been a direct relation between food collection and temperature (glucidic resource r2 = 0,25; p

Atividade diária de busca de recursos pela vespa social Polybia occidentalis occidentalis (Olivier, 1791) (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)

We have registered data concerning the number of way outs and arrivals of the Polybia occidentalis occidentalis (Olivier, 1791) foragers, type of collected resource, the schedule for each observation, temperature, air humidity and insolation. The glucidic resource collection was the main food collection activity done by colonies of P. o. occidentalis, followed by prey collection and collection of wood pulp for nests construction. There has been well-marked differences between the schedule of food resource collections (9:20 a.m. to 2:20 p.m.) and resources for nests construction (8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.). The intensity of food resources collection by P. o. occidentalis is highly dependent on the, temperature conditions and air humidity. There has been a direct relation between food collection and temperature (glucidic resource r2 = 0,25; p