We identified native bees that are floral visitors and potential pollinators of tomato in Cerrado areas, described the foraging behavior of these species, and verified the influence of the visitation of a solitary bee on the quantity and quality of fruits. Three areas of tomato crops, located in Minas Gerais, Brazil, were sampled between March and November 2012. We collected 185 bees belonging to 13 species. Exomalopsis (Exomalopsis) analis Spinola, 1853 (Hymenoptera: Apidae) was the most abundant. Ten species performed buzz pollination. Apis mellifera L. 1758 (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and Paratrigona lineata (Lepeletier, 1836) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) could also act as pollinators. The fruit set and number of seeds obtained from the pollination treatment by E. analis were higher than those in the control group. Our results allowed the identification of potential tomato pollinators in Cerrado areas and also contributed information regarding the impact of a single species (E. analis) on fruit set and quality. Although most of the visiting bees show the ability for tomato pollination, there is an absence of adequate management techniques, and its usage is difficult with the aim of increasing the crop production, which is the case for E. analis. Species such as Melipona quinquefasciata, P. lineata, and A. mellifera, which are easy to handle, are not used for pollination services. Finally, it is suggested that a combination of different bee species that are able to pollinate the tomato is necessary to prevent the super-exploitation of only a single species for pollination services and to guarantee the occurrence of potential pollinators in the crop area.
The use of stingless bees in greenhouses has provided tremendous benefits to diverse crops in terms of productivity and fruit quality. However, knowledge about management techniques in these environments is still scarce. The present study aimed to evaluate the adaptation of Melipona quadrifasciata Lepeletier, 1836 in a greenhouse of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. for its potential use in pollinating this crop. Six nests of M. quadrifasciata were introduced in a greenhouse in Araguari, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. The development of colonies inside the greenhouse was investigated and the foraging behaviour of the workers was assessed before introduction into the greenhouse and again after the nests had been removed. The vital activities of colony maintenance were performed unevenly throughout the day inside and outside the greenhouse, but with confinement the daily period of foraging decreased and bees started collecting pollen from the flowers after approximately six months. The difficulty in orienting to and identifying flowers by the workers was attributed to sunlight diffusion and blockage of ultraviolet radiation caused by the cover on the greenhouse. Structural changes in the greenhouses, as well as improvements in management techniques, are required for better utilization of stingless bees for pollination of plant species grown in greenhouses.
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