Abelhas e vespas solitárias em ninhos-armadilha na Reserva Biológica Guaribas (Mamanguape, Paraíba, Brasil)

Abstract

The trap-nesting bees of Guaribas Biological Reserve were studied during one year. Three areas with different vegetation types were sampled, open savanas, closed forest, and a mosaic of these two types. Twelve species of trap-nesting bees were observed, four of which are parasites. The most abundant species were Centris tarsata (Smith, 1879), C. analis (Fabricius, 1804), Tetrapedia diversipes Klug, 1810, and Mesocheira bicolor (Fabricius, 1804). Nesting of Centris tarsata and Mesocheira bicolor occurred mainly during the dry season, while Centris analis and Tetrapedia diversipes did not show any seasonal preferences. Mesocheira bicolor occurred only in the nests of C. tarsata, parasitizing more than 50% of the nests and representing 23.2% of the individuais emerged in the host nests. The mosaic area yielded a greater abundance and diversity. Comparing the sampling methods of trap-nests and entomological nets, conducted simultaneously in the same area, in relation to diversity of trap nesting bees, it was observed a great similarity in terms of composition and differences of abundance in species sampled. Some hypothesis are discussed to explain a reason for the greater diversity and abundance of the mosaic area in relation to the other areas.