Riqueza de espécies, abundância e eficiência de polinização de abelhas Centridini (Hymenoptera, Apidae) e nidificação de abelhas solitárias (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) em áreas cultivadas com aceroleira (Malpighia emarginata DC Malpighiaceae) no semiárido baiano

Abstract

Among the species of bees that nest in preexisting cavities, some of the genus Centris has been identified as potential pollinators of West Indian cherry and candidates for the management of pollination services. The aim of this study was to characterize the richness, abundance and temporal fluctuations in the frequency of trap-nesting bees in an area of orchard of West Indian cherry in semiarid region of Bahia. The study was conducted in Juazeiro, BA, from the October/10 to August/2011. Twelve wooden blocks (six with a length of 5 cm and a length of six 10 cm), perforated with 56 holes containing trap nests made of black cardboard, were made available. 282 nests were obtained for six species: Centris analis, C. tarsata, C. trigonoides, Megachile dentipes, Megachile sp. and Epanthidium maculatum. C. analis and C. tarsata had higher nesting frequencies, accounting for 52.8% and 36.5% of total nests, respectively. The number of nests made in holes 10 cm (n = 264) was significantly higher than in the holes of 5 cm (n = 19). There was activity of bees nesting in all months of sampling, most often in the months of November/10 to January/11. Natural enemies associated with the bees were: a species of Bombyliidae sp. (Diptera), Coelioxys sp. (Megachilidae), Mesocheira bicolor (Apidae), Leucospis sp. (Leucospidae) and an unidentified microhymenoptera (Chalcidoidea).