Toxicity of barbatimao to Apis mellifera and Scaptotrigona postica, under laboratory conditions
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Data
2003-01-01
Autores
Cintra, P.
Malaspina, O.
Bueno, O. C.
Título da Revista
ISSN da Revista
Título de Volume
Editor
Int Bee Research Assoc
Resumo
Two species of plants commonly known as barbatim (a) over tildeo occur in Brazil, Stryphnodendron adstringens (Fabaceae) (true barbatim (a) over tildeo) and Dimorphandra mollis (Caesalpiniaceae) (false barbatim (a) over tildeo). These two species have a similar flowering period and are considered by beekeepers to cause bee mortality during this period. Flowers were collected from both species, dehydrated, ground and incorporated into an experimental diet for bees of two different species, Apis mellifera and Scaptotrigona postica. Both plant species were toxic to A. mellifera, reducing their median survival. D. mollis was toxic to S. postica, and Stryphnodendron adstringens reduced median survival of this bee species even when used at a concentration of 2.5%. In a choice experiment carried out with A. mellifera and the two plant species, the honey bees could choose not to feed on the diets containing the flowers, and feed on sugar and honey instead, but they did not. This shows us that the flowers of S. adstringens were not repellent to the bees. The plants were more toxic to A. mellifera than to Scaptotrigona postica, a result that can be explained by the fact that A. mellifera was introduced into Brazil whereas S. postica is a native stingless bee.
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Palavras-chave
Apis mellifera, Scaptotrigona postica, toxicity, Dimorphandra mollis, Stryphnodendron adstringens, barbatimao, honey bees, stingless bees, Brazil
Como citar
Journal of Apicultural Research. Cardiff: Int Bee Research Assoc, v. 42, n. 1-2, p. 9-12, 2003.