Trigona spinipes (Fabr.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in passion fruit species: Seasonal fluctuation, visitation time and flower damage

Abstract

Trigona spinipes (Fabr.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) infestation, seasonal fluctuation and flower visitation time were evaluated in the following three-year old passion fruit species: Passiflora coccinea, P. setacea, P. alata, P. edulis f. flavicarpa, P. laurifolia and P. nitida. The trial was conducted in 1.5 m long plots, in which only the top (0.5 m) of both sides of the plant lines were sampled, totaling 1.5 m2 of plant area observed per plot. The following parameters were evaluated: number of T. spinipes and percentage of damage on flower-buds, fruits, branches, leaves and stalks. The visitation time of bees was determined in P. coccinea, and the evaluations were carried out at 9:00 AM, 12:00 AM and 3:00 PM. The correlation between the average number of T. spinipes in flowers of passion fruit species and percentage of damage was positive and significant (r = 0.99). The presence or damage of T. spinipes were not verified on flower-buds, fruits, branches, leaves or stalks of all passion fruit species. This result suggests that they are attracted to the flowers causing damage in those plant structures, probably because the bees use flower tissues or resins to build the nests. P. coccinea was the passion fruit species most damaged by T. spinipes, showing susceptibility to the insect attack. The times of highest incidence of T. spinipes were 9:00 AM and 12:00 AM, occurring significant decrease in number of bees at 03:00 PM. High infestation of T. spinipes was observed in passion fruit species from October to November, coinciding with the spring season in Jaboticabal, São Paulo State.