Effect of Citrus floral extracts on the foraging behavior of the stingless bee Scaptotrigona pectoralis (Dalla Torre)

Abstract

Effect of Citrus floral extracts on the foraging behavior of the stingless bee Scaptotrigona pectoralis (Dalla Torre). Stingless bees have an important role as pollinators of many wild and cultivated plant species in tropical regions. Little is known, however, about the interaction between floral fragrances and the foraging behavior of meliponine species. Thus we investigated the chemical composition of the extracts of citric (lemon and orange) flowers and their effects on the foraging behavior of the stingless bee Scaptotrigona pectoralis. We found that each type of flower has its own specific blend of major compounds: limonene (62.9%) for lemon flowers, and farnesol (26.5%), (E)-nerolidol (20.8%), and linalool (12.7%) for orange flowers. In the foraging experiments the S. pectoralis workers were able to use the flower extracts to orient to the food source, overlooking plates baited with hexane only. However, orange flower extracts were seemingly more attractive to these worker bees, maybe because of the particular blend present in it. Our results reveal that these fragrances are very attractive to S. pectoralis, so we can infer that within citric orchards they could be important visitors in the study area; however habitat destruction, overuse of pesticides and the competitive override by managed honeybees might have put at risk their populations and thus the ecological services they provide to us.<br>Extratos florais de Citrus no comportamento de forrageamento da abelha sem ferrão Scaptotrigona pectoralis (Dalla Torre). As abelhas sem ferrão têm um papel importante na polinização de muitas espécies de plantas nativas e plantas cultivadas em regiões tropicais. Pouco se sabe, no entanto, sobre a interação entre as fragrâncias florais e comportamento de forrageamento de espécies de meliponíneos. Assim, investigou-se a composição química dos extratos de cítricos florais (limão e laranja) e seus efeitos sobre o comportamento de forrageamento da abelha sem ferrão Scaptotrigona pectoralis. Nós descobrimos que cada tipo de flor tem a sua própria composição específica de mistura de compostos: limoneno (62,9%), e farnesol (26,5%) para flores de limão, (E)-nerolidol (20,8%), e linalol (12,7%) para flores de laranja. Nos experimentos de forrageamento, as operárias de S. pectoralis foram capazes de utilizar os extratos de flores para se orientarem até a fonte de alimento, não sendo atrapalhadas por placas com iscas apenas de hexano. No entanto, os extratos de flores de laranja foram aparentemente mais atraentes para essas abelhas operárias, talvez por causa da mistura particular do extrato. Nossos resultados revelam que essas fragrâncias são muito atraentes para S. pectoralis, assim pode-se inferir que dentro de pomares cítricos poderiam ser visitantes importantes na área de estudo; no entanto a destruição do habitat, o uso excessivo de pesticidas e a substituição competitiva por abelhas Apis poderia por em risco suas populações e, assim, os serviços ecológicos que prestam para nós

Trick or Treat? Pollinator attraction inVanilla pompona(Orchidaceae)

“…Towards the end of the morning, a decrease in number of landing bees suggests that flowers become less attractive due to senescence close to midday or after previous floral visits, as reported earlier for several plant species (van Doorn, 1997). Trigona landed almost exclusively on the labellum and exhibited a probing behavior indicative of foraging (Armbruster, 1984;Slaa et al, 1998;Nieh, 2004;Lichtenberg et al, 2010;McCabe & Farina, 2010;Grajales-Conesa et al, 2012). Euglossa and Eulaema were observed more frequently on the tepals, repeatedly brushing with their foretarsi, then hovering around while transferring compounds to their hind tibia, indicating fragrance collection (Dressler, 1968;Whitten et al, 1989;Eltz et al, 2003).…”

Analgesic-Like Activity of Essential Oil Constituents: An Update

“…This sesquiterpenoid is commonly found in propolis (a resinous beehive product), citrus fruits and various plant essential oils, such as Tetradenia riparia [ 223 ] and Citrus sp. [ 224 ]. In study performed by Qamar and Sultana [ 225 ], FAR showed protective efficacy against massive lung inflammation, oxidative stress and injuries induced by cigarette smoke toxicants.…”

Floral Aromatics of Ptelea: Chemical Identification and Human Response

“…Flowers of Citrus depressa also emitted linalool and myrcene, as well as ocimene (Loper, 1972). Linalool is a major component of the floral extract of Citrus sinensis, which also contains myrcene and ocimene (Grajales-Conesa et al, 2012). The floral extract of Citrus limon includes myrcene, trans-ocimene, caryophyllene, a-farnesene, and p-cubebene (Grajales-Conesa et al, 2012).…”