Pollen spectrum of honey of "uruçu" bee (Melipona scutellaris Latreille, 1811)

Abstract

In spite of the importance of the "uruçu" bee as honey producer of excellent quality, as well, potential pollinator both in agricultural and natural ecosystems, mainly in North-eastern Brazil, just some information is found in literature about sources that such bees utilize to collect nectar and pollen. The identification of the plants visited by Melipona scutellaris was accomplished with base on the analysis of pollen types found in the honey samples collected every two months, from March 1997 to February 1998, in 15 colonies located in Catu, State of Bahia, Brazil (12°21'00"S, 38°22'40"W, 76 m of altitude). Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the pollen types were carried out determining the percentage and occurrence classes. Twenty-eight pollen types were found, being considered dominant pollen, the Eucalyptus spp. and Psidium sp. types and secondary pollen, Bauhinia sp., Caesalpinia sp. and Mimosa verrucata types. It was verified dominant pollen of Eucalyptus spp. in honeys produced in November/December 1997 and January/February 1998. The families Caesalpiniaceae (14%), Mimosaceae (25%) and Myrtaceae (56%) were the most represented in the pollen spectrum.

Padrão polínico utilizado por Tetragonisca angustula Latreille (Apidae: Meliponina)

“…Diferentes métodos de investigação palinológica foram aplicados objetivando avaliar a fonte de recurso fl oral e sua utilização como alimento por esses himenópteros (Engel & Dingemans-Bakels 1980, Biesmeijer & Sommeijer 1992, Carvalho et al 2001, Eltz et al 2001, Leal et al 2001Barth 2004, Ramalho 2004, Alves et al 2006, Gutiérrez & García 2007Barth et al 2009). …”

Melissopalynology in Brazil: a review of pollen analysis of honeys, propolis and pollen loads of bees

“…In the state of São Paulo, Carvalho & Marchini (1999), Carvalho et al (2001), Marchini et al (2000) and Moreti et al (2000; analyzed honeys of Apis and Meliponinae, as well as pollen loads and the corresponding flowering for bees. The trophic resources for Apis in the state of Roraima were investigated by Silva (1998) and Silva & Absy (2000), and in the state of Rondônia, by Marques-Souza et al (1993).…”

“…The trophic sources of Meliponinae bees were largely studied. Pollen loads represent a wide range of botanical origins and very important are those of Eucalyptus (Carvalho & Marchini, 1999;Cortopassi-Laurino & Ramalho, 1988;Cortopassi-Laurino & Gelli, 1991;. Barth (1970d) Barth (1970a).…”

“…and Eucalyptus sp., and the pollen types of Mimosa scabrella and Mimosa verrucosa, and as accessory pollen, Alternanthera, Asteraceae and Cecropia. Carvalho et al (2001) identified in honeys of Meliponinae the dominant pollen of Eucalyptus and Psidium. Sodré et al (2001) identified 27 pollen types in 36 samples of honey from Apis, and as dominant pollen, the taxa of Arecaceae, Citrus, Cordia, Eucalyptus, Lithrea, Mimosa scabrella, Mimosa verrucata and Psidium.…”

Pollen analysis of the post-emergence residue of Melipona (Melikerria) interrupta Latreille (Hymenoptera: Apidae) bred in the central Amazon region

“…Likewise, knowledge of plant species based on pollen and nectar sources contributes to the characterization and origin of the resource used (Carvalho et al 2001). When performed on a monthly basis, such analyses also provide valuable floral calendars for further studies (Luz et al 2007) and contribute to maintaining bee pasture.…”