Nectar selection by Melipona and Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and the ecology of nectar intake by bee colonies in a tropical forest
Nectar selection by Melipona and Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and the ecology of nectar intake by bee colonies in a tropical forest
复制标题
DOI：
10.1007/bf00379082
复制
发表时间：
2004
期刊：
影响因子：
2.7
通讯作者：
D. Roubik;S. Buchmann
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
D. Roubik;S. Buchmann
Colony foraging activity of fourMeliponaspecies (Apidae: Meliponinae, tribe Meliponini) was studied during the dry season, when many plants flower in central Panama. The efficiency of sucrose solution uptake byMeliponawas compared to that of domesticated EuropeanApis mellifera. Dynamics of nectar foraging were also recorded for 3 of theMeliponavisiting the forest shrub,Hybanthus prunifolius(Violaceae).1.Sugar concentration in nectar brought to nests averaged from 21 to 60% sugar for 15 colonies ofM. fasciata, M. compressipes triplaridis, M. fuliginosaandM. marginata micheneri. Concentrations ranged from 19 to 72%, and all species collected nectars ranging at least between 24 and 63% sugar. However,M. compressipesandM. marginatapreferred higher concentrations and foraged less on dilute nectars. Peak colony nectar harvest occured in late morning or early afternoon; peak pollen harvest was in early morning.2.Imbibing rates of bees given 20, 30, 45, 60 or 70% sucrose solutions were highest at ≦45% sucrose, but caloric intake was most rapid at 60% sucrose for all species. All butM. marginatadisplayed greater net intake rates than domesticated EuropeanApis mellifera. A foraging choice model incorporating caloric reward and imbibing rates of bees suggestsM. compressipesandM. marginatashould specialize on richer nectars. Rate of caloric intake per forager weight was higher for allMelipona(0.03–0.13g) than forA. mellifera(0.10 g).3.The nectar ofHybanthus prunifolius(Violaceae), a shrub pollinated exclusively byMelipona, progressed from 35 to 60% sugar during the day. Bees foraged most when nectar was below 60% concentration, a pattern best explained as the result of intercolony competition and greater availability of lower quality nectar.4.Sugar concentration in nectar harvested by colonies rose from lower to higher values through the day forMelipona. The increasing caloric reward of nectar is adaptive in exploiting foraging preferences of such bees. As standing nectar crop is depleted by competing bees, a gradual shift to more rewarding nectar should promote increased bee foraging range, more flower visits during a foraging trip, floral constancy, and genetic outcrossing.5.The nectar load capacity ofA. melliferais greater than that ofMelipona. Other factors being equal, AfricanizedA. mellifera, now a permanent resident of neotropical forests, should visit more flowers during a foraging trip. Additional species differences in foraging behavior are analyzed.
