Espectro polinico de amostras de mel de Apis mellifera L., coletadas na Bahia

Abstract

Pollen spectrum found in honey samples from six localities of Bahia State, Brazil, was analyzed with the objective to contribute for the knowledge of the plants used by Apis mellifera L., 1758 (Hymenoptera: Apidae). The identification of the pollen types was made by specialized literature and by field information. Two hundred pollen grains were studied in order to determine the percentage and the occurrence of each type. Forty three pollen types were identified, being considered as the predominant types Eucalyptus sp. (Myrtaceae), Mimosa verrucosa Benth. (Mimosaceae), M. scabrella Benth. (Mimosaceae) and Bauhinia sp. (Caesalpiniaceae). The accessory pollen types were Alternanthera ficoidea R.Br. (Amaranthaceae), Compositae type (Asteraceae) and Cecropia sp. (Moraceae). It is intense the participation of Mimosa sp. (Mimosaceae) and other wild species in the honey composition of the six localities considered. Eucalyptus sp. (Myrtaceae) is one of the dominant sources of bee food in some regions of Bahia State.