Mite diversity is determined by the stingless bee host species

Abstract

Mites can establish ecologically mutualistic and/or commensal relationships with stingless bees. In the present study, we evaluated the acarine diversity associated with colonies of three stingless bee species (Melipona quadrifasciata quadrifasciata , Scaptotrigona bipunctata and Tetragonisca fiebrigi ) in seven localities of southern Brazil. A total of 1458 mites from 18 species/morphospecies were sampled. The colonies of Melipona q. quadrifasciata showed the highest richness of mites, but T. fiebrigi was the bee species with the highest acari diversity among the evaluated species. This information suggests a close relationship between mites and stingless bees, which has direct implications for the transport of hives and non-naturally occurring species to different regions.

Fungivorous mites enhance the survivorship and development of stingless bees even when exposed to pesticides

“…For these reasons, likely in the present work, we are describing the behaviour of a different mite species with other kinds of roles and/or interactions. DaCosta et al 21 studied the mite diversity of three stingless bee species ( Melipona quadrifasciata quadrifasciata , Scaptotrigona bipunctata , and Tetragonisca fiebrigi ) in southern Brazil. The authors found that mite diversity is determined by stingless bee host species and varies according to the areas of sampling.…”

First record of Leptus spp. (Acari: Erythraeidae) parasitizing stingless bees (Apidae: Meliponini)

“…Although some mite species are associated with Meliponini (Fain & Fletchmann, 1985;Da-Costa et al, 2021), the goal of this work is to report the genus Leptus as a parasite in stingless bees.…”

Catálogo comportamental de besouros Scotocryptus melitophilus (Leiodidae, Scotocryptini) associados a abelhas Melipona mondury (Apidae, Meliponini)

“…Em virtude da densidade populacional e tamanho de suas colônias, os seus ninhos mantêm um microambiente ideal para o desenvolvimento de vários inquilinos, pois têm grande estoque de pólen e néctar, um controle térmico eficiente e manutenção de umidade (Viana et al, 2015). Portanto, suas colmeias são abrigo para outros organismos que se associam para usufruir dos recursos presentes, podendo estes ser benéficos e mutualistas, maléficos ou ainda com efeitos da interação não investigados (Nogueira-Neto, 1997;Coletto-Silva, 2005;Klimov et al, 2007;Da-Costa et al, 2021).…”