Identificação de ninhos de abelhas sem ferrão e suas preferências quanto às espécies vegetais para nidificação

Abstract

The lack of awareness among the population regarding the preservation of natural nests of native bees and the plant species used for nesting contributed to the development of this work. Therefore, nest identifications consisted of visits to pre-designated locations for logistical reasons. The present study aimed to locate and georeference nests of stingless bees in their natural environment. A total of 15 nests of native bees from two tribes, Trigonini and Meliponini, were located and georeferenced. The species Nannotrigona testaceicornis was one of the most common, with six nests, accounting for 40% of the total. Partamona sp had five nests, representing 33% of the total. Due to the presence of both natural occurring species of the genus Partamona in Paraíba, namely Partamona helleri and Partamona litoralis, according to the Catalog Moure, it was not possible to identify which species they belonged to. Plebeia flavocincta had two nests, making up 13%, and Melipona scutellaris had one nest, constituting 7% of the identified species. As for plant species, seven tree species belonging to five families were identified. These include four Crataeva tapia.L, accounting for 40% of occurrences, one Bowdichia virgilioides Kunth at 10%, one Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth at 10%, Prosopis juliflora (SW.) DC. at 10%, Talisia esculenta (A. St.-Hil.) Radlk. at 10%, Cordia goeldiana Huber at 10%, and Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen. at 10%. In conclusion, the number of trees in the vicinity of the nest location favors the predominance of these native bees, especially the species of the Trigona genus. It was also observed that the number of bees nesting close to each other emphasizes the importance of preserving these areas, thereby maintaining the biodiversity of tree species and stingless native bees.