Dinâmica da interação abelha-planta: efeito dos quintais agroflorestais no nicho trófico de Melipona (Melikerria) interrupta (Apidae: Aeliponini), Pará, Brasil

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the diet of Melipona interrupta raised rationally in agroforestry backyards in a traditional community near the confluence of the Amazon and Tapajós rivers. In order to understand their diet more broadly, a bibliographic study was first conducted on the diet of bees of the genus Melipona in the Amazon region. In the literature review, two databases were consulted: Web of Science (WoS) and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO). The results showed an increasing number of studies on the types of pollen collected by bees of the genus Melipona in the Brazilian Amazon, reflected in the increase in publications in international journals. Studies already conducted with this bee have shown some factors that affect the richness of pollen types collected, and this compilation of data, present in our study, can help in decision-making about some methodological approaches to be used in future studies. The main factor to be considered is the data collection period, as this seems to influence other decisions. In the case study, pollen and honey samples were analyzed from agroforestry backyards and nearby secondary forest for comparison purposes. The results pointed to a transition between environments for pollen collection and the availability of some resources that were not collected, despite being available near the colonies. Thus, strong evidence of this bee's food preference was observed through the transition between collection environments. Given the contribution of the two environments to the diet of M. interrupta, other factors were analyzed, such as the fact that backyards have characteristics considered advantageous in relation to the secondary forest environment for the insertion of meliponaries, such as greater protection of colonies against invaders/theft and ease of maintenance of colonies due to their proximity to the producer's residence. However, in terms of floristic composition, it was observed that most species in backyards are fruit-bearing, which indicates the importance of this composition in food security for producers, but these species are not as attractive to these bees. Thus, agroforestry backyards have potential for meliponiculture, but they need adjustments, such as the insertion of plant species of interest to rationally bred bees, to reduce the transition between environments during foraging, thereby reducing the energy expenditure in collecting resources.