Foraging Activity of Xylocopa cearensis (Ducke) in Sand Dune Landscape

Abstract

Bees foraging strategy is affected by the distribution and abundance of flower resources, mainly nectar and pollen. Homing time of female Xylocopa cearensis (Ducke) bees to their nests was assessed through a simple translocation method. The hypothesis addressed was that resource distribution in the landscape level influences bee homing time. The study area comprises about 300ha in a sand dune field with patchy shrubs in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The mean homing time after translocation was 60min (sd = 4.36min; n = 03), except for one bee that did not returned. The translocation technique was successfully applied to large solitary bees, since they do return to their own nest and can be easily recognized when arriving. Also, a bee returned carrying pollen, what suggests foraging activity after translocations. Results evidence landscape functional connectivity since bees were able to move through local habitats. Further studies should address movement cost tradeoffs and its consequences on bee diversity conservation.