Abstract
Tetrapedia curvitarsis Friese is a widely distributed species, frequently attracted by trap-nests. Previous studies have revealed a higher frequency of nesting in the wet season and dimorphism between the sexes, with females exhibiting larger body size than males. We evaluated the effects of seasonality on the production of nests, food niche, and body size of T. curvitarsis. The study was conducted from April 2009 to March 2010 and from April 2012 to March 2013 at the Água Limpa Experimental Station, located in the Triângulo Mineiro, Minas Gerais State. The number of cells was positively correlated with length and diameter of trap-nests. However, the number of nests and the number of cells produced did not differed between the seasons. The females demonstrated a larger head width than males and both presented greater body size in the wet season. However, there was no interaction between sex and season. A higher food niche breadth was observed in the wet season and low similarity in the use of pollen sources between seasons (PS=39.05%). Thus, it is concluded that the season has no effect on the production of nests or cells, but rather on the body size of males and females and food niche breadth. The production of smaller individuals in the dry season could be related not only to the quantity but also the quality of food offered to immature bees.
Highlights
Tetrapedia curvitarsis Friese is a widely distributed species, frequently found in surveys in the states of Minas Gerais and São Paulo (Camillo, 2005; Alves-dos-Santos et al, 2007; Pinto et al, 2015)
The species of Tetrapedia with known nests, Tetrapedia diversipes Klug, T. curvitarsis, Tetrapedia rugulosa Friese, and Tetrapedia garofaloi Moure present more than one generation per year, higher activity of individuals in the wet season, and the occurrence of pre-pupal diapause (Camilo, 2005)
A total of 51 nests of T. curvitarsis were collected during P1 and 45 nests in P2
Summary
Tetrapedia curvitarsis Friese is a widely distributed species, frequently found in surveys in the states of Minas Gerais and São Paulo (Camillo, 2005; Alves-dos-Santos et al, 2007; Pinto et al, 2015). The species of Tetrapedia with known nests, Tetrapedia diversipes Klug, T. curvitarsis, Tetrapedia rugulosa Friese, and Tetrapedia garofaloi Moure present more than one generation per year, higher activity of individuals in the wet season, and the occurrence of pre-pupal diapause (Camilo, 2005). It was observed a biased female sexual ratio for T. diversipes, T. rugulosa, and T. garofaloi, but not for T. curvitarsis. Studies have shown that the size of solitary bees is strongly influenced by larvae feeding (Bosch & Vicens, 2002; Radmacher & Strohm, 2010), with females generally receiving more food than males (Stark, 1992; Strohm, 2000; Peruquetti & Del Lama, 2003)
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