Nests of Eufriesea aff. auriceps (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Euglossini) in remnants of Atlantic Forest and reforested areas

Abstract

In recent decades, the use of the trap-nest technique has helped to increase knowledge on the nest architecture of many orchid bee species. This study describes the nest architecture of Eufriesea aff. auriceps constructed in trap-nests made of dried bamboo internodes (canes). The nests were placed in remnants of Atlantic forest and in reforested areas next to forest remnants and monitored monthly from August 2015 to August 2016 and from August 2018 to August 2019 in southern Brazil. The bamboo internodes occupied by bees varied in internal diameter from 1.0cm to 2.0 cm (`X = 1.7; SD = 0.3; N = 12) and in length from 11.0 cm to 28.0 cm (`X = 19.5; SD = 4.8; N = 12). The total size of the nests inside the bamboo internodes ranged from 9.0 cm to 19.9 cm (`X = 14.3; SD= 3.9; N = 12). The number of brood cells constructed per nest varied from 1 to 10 (`X = 4.0; SD = 2.3; N = 15). The cells were built with small pieces of bark cemented with resin, linearly arranged along the bamboo tube. Internally, the cell wall was lined with resin. The cells measured 1.5-3.0 cm (`X = 2.3 ± 0.5; N = 48) in length and 1.4-1.7 (`X = 1.5 ± 0.1; N = 17) cm in width. The internal contour of the cells was elliptical. Females of Eufriesea aff. auriceps occupied trap-nests in both the forest remnants and in areas undergoing restoration.

Biologia de nidificação de Euglossa cordata (Apidae: Euglossini) em áreas abertas no Extremo Sul Baiano

“…Variações no tamanho da célula de cria, em abelhas solitárias, geralmente indica que células maiores são de fêmeas e células menores de machos, porque fêmeas necessitam de maior quantidade de alimento para se desenvolver que machos e por isso elas são produzidas, preferencialmente em períodos com grande abundância de recursos [4,30,36]. As pesquisas desenvolvidas com a tribo Euglossini, geralmente utilizam técnicas de isca aromática que são atrativas majoritariamente para os machos [37]. Entretanto, outros estudos sobre estrutura e hábitos de nidificação com esta tribo de abelhas tem demonstrado o uso de cavidades pré-existente, tanto em áreas urbanas como em ambientes silvestres [5,6,7].…”