Deposições de Óleo por Fêmeas de Centris analis (Fabricius) (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Centridini) Parasitadas por Physocephala spp. (Diptera: Conopidae)

Abstract

O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar comportamentos de deposição de óleo realizados pelas fêmeas da abelha solitária Centris analis (Fabricius), parasitadas por Physocephala spp. Esse estudo foi realizado no Campus de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, seguindo a metodologia de ninhos-armadilhas, nos quais as fêmeas construíram as células de cria em ninhos confeccionados com cartolina preta e introduzidos em blocos de madeira localizados em duas estantes na área de estudo. Das 26 fêmeas que nidificaram no local, 11 foram encontradas mortas dentro de ninhos-armadilha vazios. Depois foram levadas ao laboratório, juntamente com nove machos mortos, colocados em tubos de vidro e observados diariamente até a emergência do parasitoide Physocephala spp. (Diptera: Conopidae). Todos os ninhos construídos pelas fêmeas parasitadas receberam uma deposição extra de óleo sobre o fechamento da última célula de cria. Além disso, essas fêmeas permaneceram 5,4 dias no local depois de fecharem seus ninhos, realizando deposições extras de óleo sobre o fechamento de ninhos e fechando ninhos vazios (n = 42), sem células de cria. Os dados deste trabalho sugerem que as deposições de óleo pelas abelhas parasitadas, aumentam as dificuldades de sucesso de ataque do parasitoide Leucospis cayennensis Westwood, visto que existem dois obstáculos para superar: óleo sobre a última célula de cria e óleo sobre o fechamento do ninho. É importante salientar que defendendo os ninhos contra tais invasores, as fêmeas parasitadas que realizaram deposições extras de óleo possibilitariam uma nova geração de conipídeos.Oil Deposition by Females of Centris analis (Fabricius) (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Centridini) Parasitized by Physocephala spp. (Diptera: Conopidae)Abstract. The aim of this work was to identify behaviors of oil deposition by females of the solitary bee Centris analis (Fabricius) parasitized by Physocephala spp. This study was conducted at the Campus of the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, using trap-nests in which the females built the brood-cells in nests made with black cardboard, introduced in wood blocks that were placed on two shelves at site of study. From the 26 females that nested in the area, 11 were found dead inside the empty trap-nests. Next, they were taken to the laboratory together with nine dead males, placed in glass tubes and were observed daily until the parasitoid Physocephala spp. (Diptera: Conopidae) emerged. All nests built by the parasitized females had extra oil deposition on the last brood-cell occlusion. In addition, these females remained for 5.4 days at site of study after closing the nests, made extra oil depositions on the nest occlusions and closed 42 empty nests, without brood-cells. The data of this work suggest that the extra oil deposition by parasitized females, increase the difficulties to the success of the parasitoid Leucospis cayennensis Westwood, since there are 2 obstacles to be won: oil over the last partition and oil on the nest occlusion. It´s good to point out that defending the nests against parasitoids the females would be ensuring a new generation of conopids.

Natural enemies of the oil-collecting bee Centris analis (Fabricius, 1804) with notes on the behavior of the cleptoparasite Coelioxys nigrofimbriata Cockerell, 1919 (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

“…Although there are many studies about the life history of C. analis (see Jesus and Garófalo 2000;Alonso et al 2012;Couto and Camillo 2014), much still needs to be described, especially regarding interactions with natural enemies. With the exception of the detailed observations made by Gazola and Garófalo (2003) about L. cayennensis, little is known about behavioral strategies of species attacking C. analis.…”

“…Species of the genus Physocephala Schiner are solitary koinobiont endoparasitoids of several genera of bees such as Anthidium Fabricius, Anthophora Latreille, Apis Linnaeus, Bombus Latreille, Centris Fabricius, Epicharis Klug, Eulaema Lepeletier, Euglossa Latreille, Halictus Latreille, Megachile Latreille, and Xylocopa Latreille (Rasmussen and Cameron 2004;Melo et al 2008;Santos et al 2008;Couto and Camillo 2014). Santos et al (2008) reported on conopid flies attacking C. analis and recorded nine species of Physocephala in southeastern Brazil (Table 1).…”

“…Santos et al (2008) reported on conopid flies attacking C. analis and recorded nine species of Physocephala in southeastern Brazil (Table 1). Couto and Camillo (2014) also recorded eight Physocephala species emerging from dead specimens of C. analis. Couto and Camillo (2014) also observed that parasitized females present behavioral changes, and deposited extra oil on the nest occlusion or closed empty nests.…”

“…Couto and Camillo (2014) also recorded eight Physocephala species emerging from dead specimens of C. analis. Couto and Camillo (2014) also observed that parasitized females present behavioral changes, and deposited extra oil on the nest occlusion or closed empty nests. These parasitic associations do not appear to be specific, but impact the behavior of the female bees.…”

Occupation and Emergence of Solitary Bees in Different Types of Trap Nests

“…The structure of the nests founded by Centris bees reveals a great similarity to the nests described in the literature for species of this genus, mainly, as to the type of material used, arrangement and number of cells (Aguiar & Garófalo, 2004;Mendes & Rêgo, 2007;Mesquita et al, 2009). The presence of an oily binder substance for the construction of cells and the presence of a vestibular cell in the nests is discussed by some authors as a protection strategy against parasitism (Jesus & Garófalo, 2000;Couto & Camillo, 2014).…”