Relação entre o tamanho da glândula ácida e a quantidade de veneno produzido em abelha africanizada, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), na região de Dourados, MS

Abstract

Crosses between African and European honeybees in Brazil resulted in a highly defensive hybrid bee. The acid gland is important in the expression of this characteristic, being responsible for venom production. Morphological variations in this gland could influence the quantity of venom. Glandular morphology was analyzed, along with the quantity of venom produced and the bees' genetic characteristics. The gland and the venom reservoir were removed from workers. The gland was placed on a histological frame for measurement and the contents of the reservoir were weighed. The results were submitted to an analysis of regression and submitted to Test Z, to evaluate the differences between the averages. The phenotypes were evaluated according to the standard found in literature. Gland length varied from 7.42 mm to 20.33 mm, the quantity of venom from 0.19 mg to 0.34 mg, and as far as the genetic characteristics are concerned, 63.3% of the colonies had workers with large glands. In 53.3% of the colonies, 90% of individuals had simple glands, suggesting the evolutionary process leading to the loss of branching, since the presence of branching indicates primitiveness. The production of venom is associated with the length of the gland and branching does not influence the quantity of venom. There was no statistical difference between the size of the branched and simple glands or in the quantity of venom produced, therefore the large glands can favor commercial exploration of venom, producing larger quantities.

Morphometric Studies on Venom Gland and Its Reservoir in Honeybee Workers (Apismellifera)

“…The production of venom is associated with the length of the gland and branching does not influence the quantity of venom. There was no significant difference between the size of the branched and simple glands or in the quantity of venom produced (Brizola et al, 2006). Arruda et al (2005) found that the length of this gland in A. mellifera workers varied from 6.22 to 21.98 mm with an average of 12.86 mm.…”

Vasoconstrictor effect of Africanized honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) venom on rat aorta

“…Africanized honeybees are a poly-hybrid species found in South America, mainly in Brazil, known for their aggressiveness and involvement in mass attacks [1,2]. The clinical manifestations of bee envenomation are characterized by local and systemic toxicity.…”