Pollination Services Provided by Melipona quadrifasciata Lepeletier (Hymenoptera: Meliponini) in Greenhouses with Solanum lycopersicum L. (Solanaceae)

Abstract

Stingless bees are considered particularly promising for use as commercial pollinators. However, studies testing the effectiveness of these bees in pollinating grape tomatoes in greenhouses are not yet available. This work aimed to analyze the floral biology of the grape tomato and evaluate whether the additional pollination performed by Melipona quadrifasciata Lepeletier generates an effective increase in production and improves the quality of this variety of tomato when grown in greenhouses. The research took place in two greenhouses located in Araguari, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. In one of them, we only used a mechanical method of pollination and, in the other, pollination by the mechanical method was associated with pollination performed by bees. The productivity was compared by recording the number of flowers and fruits formed on different branches, and tomato quality was assessed by analyzing their size, weight, number of seeds and total sugar content. Tomatoes originating from flowers visited by M. quadrifasciata workers produced about 47% more seeds and their concentration of sugar was approximately 14% higher. These results suggest that using M. quadrifasciata for tomato pollination shows to be promising, since their use as pollinators entails positive effects on fruit quality.

Stingless bee honey (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini): a review of quality control, chemical profile, and biological potential

“…The use of rational breeding techniques, knowledge of the explored flora, the implementation of management techniques, and artificial feeding have allowed the expansion of meliponiculture (Jaffé et al 2015). Many species are popular and are raised to obtain products which generate jobs and income and, at the same time, maintain biodiversity (Kerr et al 2001;Imperatriz-Fonseca and Nunes-Silva 2010;Contrera et al 2011;Ollerton et al 2011;Freitas and Nunes-Silva 2012;Bartelli and Nogueira-Ferreira 2014). In Brazil, many tree species and agricultural crops are pollinated by these bees and their effective pollination performance has been confirmed for more than 30 different agricultural crops (Heard 1999;Slaa et al 2006;Castro et al 2006).…”

Complex landscapes partially mitigate negative pesticide effects on tropical pollinator communities

“…fasciata was the most abundant. Other species of the genus Melipona have been previously reported as efficient pollinators of Solanaceous crops such as tomato and eggplant (Bartelli and Nogueira-Ferreira, 2014;Nunes-Silva et al, 2013). A study assessing the effects of imidacloprid consumption in bumble bees pollinating tomatoes showed that imidacloprid affected the probability of performing sonication behavior in flowers (Switzer and Combes, 2016).…”

Sebaran dan Karakteristik Sarang Lebag Tak Bersengat Di Kawasan Hutan Kampus Unibversitas Halu Oleo

“…Sarang lebah tak bersengat ini kadang berasosiasi antara pohon, rayap, tawon atau semut (Roubik , 2006). Lebah ini tidak memiliki sengat fungsional, mudah ditangani karena tidak menyengat dan sebagian kurang agresif, dengan jumlah anggota koloni yang padat, dan sarang bersifat perennial dan mengumpulkan makanan dalam jumlah besar (Bartelli & Nogueira-Ferreira, 2014). Di Indonesia Lebah ini memiliki beberapa nama daerah, yaitu Kelulut (Kalimantan), Galo-galo (Sumatera), Klanceng/Lenceng (Jawa), dan Te'uweul (Sunda) (Erniwati;2013) Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa sarang lebah Trigona sp.…”