Scent-robbing and fighting among male orchid bees, Eulaema (Apeulaema) nigrita Lepeletier, 1841 (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Euglossini)

International audienceAbstractMale Euglossini bees (Apidae) forage for floral and non-floral perfumes. Although the use of these perfumes has not yet been clearly reported, there are indications of using perfume from varied exogenous sources as a pheromone analogue since male orchid bees do not produce it. Here, we report an interaction between male Euglossa annectans and flowers of Angelonia salicariifolia (Plantaginaceae). Floral anatomy analysis and a histological study of two different sets of trichomes indicate the presence of aromatic oils (perfume) in one set of these trichomes. The other set of trichomes produce resins. Both sets of trichomes are found in the same floral area of the flower where the male orchid bees were seen. The male orchid bees studied forage for perfumes but do not promote pollination since they do not reach the reproductive structures during their visit. Our records show that only male E. annectans were attracted to the volatile fragrance although we know that other orchid bee species also occur in the area

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Orchid Bees (Apidae: Euglossini) in a Forest Fragment in the Ecotone Cerrado-Amazonian Forest, Brazil

Oliveira

Almeida

Rodrigues

et al. 2015

Acta Biol. Colomb.

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This paper presents information about the species richness and abundance of orchid bees in the transitional area between the Cerrado and the Amazon Forest in the Xingu river basin. The males were collected in a forest fragment in the municipality of Ribeirão Cascalheira, northeast Mato Grosso state, Brazil, between 1 and 5 November 2011. Benzyl benzoate, 1.8 cineole, eugenol and vanillin were used as baits, to attract the bees using insect nets and methyl salicylate was used only in the bottle traps. A total of 168 males belonged to four of five Euglossini genera distributed among 16 species were recorded. The greatest species richness was registered in the genus Euglossa, however Eulaema nigrita, was the most abundant Euglossine species in the community. The species richness varied between the edge and the first point within the fragment. The males were more active between 10:00 and 11:00 h, and the 1.8 cineole was the most attractive substance. The fragment studied contained representative species richness of orchid bees in a region of widespread environmental heterogeneity, which is still largely unknown as regards its pollinators and deserves attention for the compilation of new inventories.Abejas de orquídeas (Apidae: Euglossini) en un fragmento de bosque en el ecotono Cerrado-Selva Amazónica, BrasilEn este trabajo se presenta información sobre la riqueza de especies y abundancia de Euglossini en la zona de transición entre el Cerrado y la selva amazónica, en la cuenca del río Xingu. Las muestras se recogieron en un fragmento de bosque en el municipio de Ribeirão Cascalheira, nordeste de Mato Grosso, Brasil, entre el 1 y 5 de noviembre de 2011. Las sustancias puras de benzoato de bencilo, 1,8 cineol, eugenol y la vainillina fueron utilizadas como cebos para atraer los machos usando red de insectos aunque el salicilato de metilo se utilizó en trampas pasivas. Un total de 168 machos pertenecientes a cuatro géneros fueron registrados, distribuidos en 16 especies. La mayor riqueza de especies se registró en el género Euglossa, aunque Eulaema nigrita fue la especie más abundante en la comunidad. La riqueza de especies varió entre el borde y el primer punto dentro del fragmento. Los machos de abejas de orquídeas eran más activos entre 10:00-11:00 h, y el 1.8 cineol fue la sustancia pura más atractiva. El fragmento estudiado contenía un alto grado de riqueza de especies de abejas de orquídeas en una región de heterogeneidad ambiental extensa, que sigue siendo en gran parte desconocido con relación a su fauna de insectos polinizadores y merece la atención para la elaboración de nuevos inventarios.

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Scent-robbing and fighting among male orchid bees, Eulaema (Apeulaema) nigrita Lepeletier, 1841 (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Euglossini)

Cited by 5 publications

References 15 publications

Pollination Ecology: Natural History, Perspectives and Future Directions

Pollination Ecology: Natural History, Perspectives and Future Directions

Perfume production in flowers of Angelonia salicariifolia attracts males of Euglossa annectans which do not promote pollination

Orchid Bees (Apidae: Euglossini) in a Forest Fragment in the Ecotone Cerrado-Amazonian Forest, Brazil

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