Manejo de abelhas solitárias coletoras de óleo Centris analis para a polinização dirigida de acerola

Abstract

The oil-collecting bee Centris analis is native to Brazil, successfully colonizes trap nests in aggregations, has a multivoltine life cycle, and shows ample potential to be used for the pollination of both native plants and agricultural crops, especially acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.). Therefore, the aim of the present study was to identify intrinsic or environmental stimulating factors that could help develop more effective management techniques for this species in urban and rural environments, in order to maximize the performance of C. analis in agricultural pollination. To this end, 833 trap nests were initially used, differentiated into seven length and diameter classes, and installed in three nesting sites at the Bee Laboratory of the Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), between August 2019 and March 2024, to investigate parameters regarding the nesting habits and life cycle of this species in an anthropized environment. The results showed that the year of nesting and the ratio between the trap nest class and the nidification month significantly influenced the emergence time of the offspring (p<0.05). Trap nests of 197 mm in length had a higher number of brood cells. Additionally, the offspring mortality was affected by factors such as the length of the trap nests and the incubation site used. An increase in the number of cells per nest (p<0.05) and in the average environmental temperature (p<0.05) led to a reduction in vestibular cell length. Furthermore, 768 trap nests differentiated into two classes of length and diameter were used and installed in an acerola orchard in Sapupara, a district of the Municipality of Maranguape – CE, from October 2020 to February 2023, with a final visit conducted in August 2023, to investigate the correlation between the nidification of female C. analis and environmental variables with the production of acerolas on a rural property. Trap nest colonization was significantly influenced by flowering occurrence (p<0.05), the intensity of flowering (p<0.05) and rainfall (p<0.05). The bees preferred nests that were 197 mm long and 6.0 mm in diameter. The harvest of acerolas increased after the breeding site was established, except when disruptive environmental events occurred, and was positively influenced by the intensity of flowering (p<0.05). It is concluded that managing intrinsic variables and continuously monitoring environmental parameters can enhance the nesting efficiency of C. analis in trap nests, as well as its subsequent field activity and agricultural pollination. These bees respond particularly well to intrinsic or environmental stimulating factors that influence the control of the internal temperature of the trap nest, the available space for oviposition, and the availability of foraging resources in the environment.