In spite of playing an important ecological role as pollinators of tropical ecosystems, orchid bees are still poorly known regarding their floral resources. Aiming at a better comprehension of the importance of different plants visited by the Euglossini and, consequently, their role in the maintenance and reproduction of plant species in tropical ecosystems, this study aimed at identifying the flowers visited by those bees in two different areas of the Atlantic Forest in the northern coast of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Sampling was carried out from August 2007 to July 2009 in two coastal ecosystems in Ubatuba, Brazil. In order to obtain information on flower resources collected by Euglossini beesin loco, all bees observed on flowers were collected, pollinaria of Orchidaceae occasionally attached to the body of males were identified, and the pollinic analysis of 68 females was carried out. One hundred twelve bees from 14 species were associated to 105 plant species which represented pollen, nectar, resin, and fragrances sources. These data reinforce the relevance of orchid bees to the maintenance and reproductive success of many tropical plants.

In order to investigate phenological patterns and seasonal and geographic variations in the preference for fragrances of Euglossini males, monthly sampling was carried out from August 2007 to July 2009 in two coastal areas of Atlantic Forest in Ubatuba, northern coast of the state of São Paulo. Fourteen aromatic baits were used, 3 of them in the first year (August 2007 to July 2008) and the other 11 in the second year (August 2008 to July 2009). A total of 1,475 individuals from 22 species were collected. The highest frequency of the individuals of the majority of the sampled species occurred in the hot/super-humid season. However, Eulaema cingulata (Fabricius) showed peaks of abundance in the cold/less-humid season on Anchieta Island. Seasonal variation in fragrance choice by males was not registered. Males of El. cingulata showed preference for β-ionone on Anchieta Island and for benzyl acetate in the Picinguaba region, characterizing the single example of geographic variation in preference for scent baits we recorded.

No abstract

No abstract