NECTAR AND POLLEN RESOURCES FOR STINGLESS BEES (MELIPONINAE, HYMENOPTERA) IN SURINAM (SOUTH AMERICA)

Abstract

By means of several methods information on the floral resources of the stingless bees of Surinam has been obtained. This study reports on about 100 plant species visited by 37 species of stingless bees. It appears that there is a considerable overlap in the food plants of the different bee species. Some small flowers or flowers with a long and narrow corolla seem to be visited exclusively by small bees : Asystasia species by Trigona pallens and Orthosiphon grand!orus by Plebeia minima. Solanum species are visited exclusively by the bees (Melipona spec., T. fulviventris guianae) that are able to loosen the pollen by vibrating. For the first time it is reported that stingless bees (M. favosa, M. compressipes, T. hyalinata branneri) collect pollen from Polygonacaea (P. acuminatum, Triplaris surinamensis, Cocoloba lucidula). Most important food plants for M. favosa are : Avicennia germinans, Aciotes dichotoma, Syzygium cumini, Polyganum acuminatum and Solanum species.