Surveys of the bee (Hymenoptera: Apiformes) community in a Neotropical savanna using pan traps

Thaís Andrade Viana,Anete Pedro Lourenço

doi:10.11606/1807-0205/2020.60.31

Abstract

Bee populations are declining because of various synergistic threats, and therefore bee survey and monitoring programs are needed. Several techniques have been developed to survey bees, but the most cost-effective and suitable methods to sample bees in several sites at the same time are passive approaches, such as methods involving colored pan traps (also known as Moericke or bowl traps). Several bee surveys using pan traps have been conducted in North America, Europe, and Australia, but only a few such surveys have been done in tropical regions. We used colored pan traps (blue, yellow, and white) to assess the bee community in the Brazilian savanna ecosystem in Rio Preto State Park. Sampling was conducted in October 2013 and March 2014 along permanent trails. We also characterized the local habitat of each trail, and then we compared bee abundance with habitat complexity. In total, 187 individual bees (n = 15 species) were collected, mainly using blue and white traps. Although we were not able to sample most species that were previously recorded in this park, the pan trap method can be used to survey and monitor bee assemblages in combination with another sampling method. Habitat complexity also affected the numbers of bees sampled using the pan traps, and more bees were collected at open sites.

Highlights

Declines in insect populations in natural and agricultural ecosystems have been increasingly studied in recent years (Potts et al, 2010)
Several bee surveys using pan traps have been conducted in North America, Europe, and Australia, but only a few such surveys have been done in tropical regions
Habitat complexity affected the numbers of bees sampled using the pan traps, and more bees were collected at open sites

Summary

Introduction

Declines in insect populations in natural and agricultural ecosystems have been increasingly studied in recent years (Potts et al, 2010). Bees (Hymenoptera: Apiformes) are the most important pollinators. They play an important role in the pollination of most plants in their native environments, and are important pollinators of crop plants in agroecosystems. The need for surveys to understand and monitor the diversity and abundance of bees has increased (Imperatriz-Fonseca et al, 2007; Potts et al, 2010). Passive survey methods can be very valuable, as they allow for data to be collected simultaneously in several sites, allow for a high sampling effort, and avoid potential monitor skill bias (Cane et al, 2000; Westphal et al, 2008; Tuell & Isaacs, 2009).

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Discussion

Conclusion