Corbiculae Research Articles

Ecology Service Tumbuhan Herba untuk Lebah Trigona sp.

Herbaceous plants are able to flower any time, give them opportunity to interact with insects. This study aimed to analyze the diversity of pollen collected by Trigona sp. in herbaceous ecosystem and counted the percentage of pollen viability from the pollen basket. Trigona’s nest was adapted at plot and the herbaceous plants with their pollen were identified. Pollen were took from hind legs at 07.00, 08.00 and 09.00 am. Pollen slide were make by acetolysis and SEM methods. Pollen were identified and examined of viability. Identification herbaceous plants and their pollen on plot showed that there were 7 herbaceous plants: Kyllinga monocephala, Cleome rutidosperma, Pennisetum polystachyon, Ageratum conyzoides, Brachiaria mutica, Cyperus orodatus, and Eleutheranthera ruderalis. Otherwise pollen which were collected by Trigona sp. consist of 11 kinds of pollen from 6 families, that were Sapindaceae, Leguminoceae, Loranthaceae, Malvaceae, Symplocaceae, and unidentified family.Viability of pollen ranged from 88.8% to 99.8%. The result of identification herbacious plants and pollen that were taken by Trigona sp. indicated that there was not similarity therefore, it was no interaction between herbaceous plants in the plot with Trigona sp.

The corbiculate bees arose from New World oil-collecting bees: Implications for the origin of pollen baskets

The economically most important group of bees is the “corbiculates”, or pollen basket bees, some 890 species of honeybees (Apis), bumblebees (Bombus), stingless bees (Meliponini), and orchid bees (Euglossini). Molecular studies have indicated that the corbiculates are closest to the New World genera Centris, with 230 species, and Epicharis, with 35, albeit without resolving the precise relationships. Instead of concave baskets, these bees have hairy hind legs on which they transport pollen mixed with floral oil, collected with setae on the anterior and middle legs. We sampled two-thirds of all Epicharis, a third of all Centris, and representatives of the four lineages of corbiculates for four nuclear gene regions, obtaining a well-supported phylogeny that has the corbiculate bees nested inside the Centris/Epicharis clade. Fossil-calibrated molecular clocks, combined with a biogeographic reconstruction incorporating insights from the fossil record, indicate that the corbiculate clade arose in the New World and diverged from Centris 84 (72–95)mya. The ancestral state preceding corbiculae thus was a hairy hind leg, perhaps adapted for oil transport as in Epicharis and Centris bees. Its replacement by glabrous, concave baskets represents a key innovation, allowing efficient transport of plant resins and large pollen/nectar loads and freeing the corbiculate clade from dependence on oil-offering flowers. The transformation could have involved a novel function of Ubx, the gene known to change hairy into smooth pollen baskets in Apis and Bombus.

Ubxpromotes corbicular development inApis mellifera

The key morphological feature that distinguishes corbiculate bees from other members of the Apidae family is the presence of the corbicula (pollen basket) on the tibial segment of hind legs. Here, we show that in the honeybee (Apis mellifera), the depletion of the gene Ultrabithorax (Ubx) by RNAi transforms the corbicula from a smooth, bristle-free concave structure to one covered with bristles. This is accompanied by a reduction of the pollen press, which is located on the basitarsus and used for packing the pollen pellet as well as a loss of the orderly arrangement of the rows of bristles that form the pollen comb. All these changes make the overall identity of workers' T3 legs assume that of the queen. Furthermore, in a corbiculate bee of a different genus, Bombus impatiens, Ubx expression is also localized in T3 tibia and basitarsus. These observations suggest that the evolution of the pollen gathering apparatus in corbiculate bees may have a shared origin and could be traced to the acquisition of novel functions by Ubx, which in Apis were instrumental for subsequent castes and behavioural differentiation.

Variation morphogeometrics of Africanized honey bees (Apis mellifera) in Brazil

The morphometrics of the honey bee Apis mellifera L., 1758 has been widely studied mainly because this species has great ecological importance, high adaptation capacity, wide distribution and capacity to effectively adapt to different regions. The current study aimed to investigate the morphometric variations of wings and pollen baskets of honey bees Apis mellifera scutellata Lepeletier, 1836 from the five regions in Brazil. We used geometric morphometrics to identify the existence of patterns of variations of shape and size in Africanized honey bees in Brazil 16 years after the classic study with this species, allowing a temporal and spatial comparative analysis using new technological resources to assess morphometrical data. Samples were collected in 14 locations in Brazil, covering the five geographical regions of the country. The shape analysis and multivariate analyses of the wing allowed to observe that there is a geographical pattern among the population of Apis mellifera in Brazil. The geographical variations may be attributed to the large territorial extension of the country in addition to the differences between the bioregions.

Comparative study for evaluating two honey bee races, Apis mellifera jementica (indigenous race) and Apis mellifera carnica (carniolan race) in brood production, population development and foraging activity under the environmental conditions of the central region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

This field study was carried out to evaluate two honeybee races namely; Apis mellifera jementica (indigenous race) and Apis mellifera carnica (carniolan race) based on brood production, population development, foraging activity, and queens status through the experimental period extended from March, 2009 up to March, 2010 under main physical environmental conditions of the central region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The obtained results showed that, indigenous bees transferred from traditional hives (Aoud) into Langstroth (modern) hives and supplied with frames contained 33cells/μ2 (regular worker-size cell for indigenous bees) (group I) had significantly higher brood production and population development than indigenous bees transferred from traditional hives into Langstroth hives and supplied with frames contained 25cells/μ2 (regular worker-size cell for European bees) (group II) and carniolan bees transferred from honey bee nuclei into Langstroth hives and supplied with frames contained 25cells/μ2 (regular worker-size cell for European bee) (group III). The general mean of brood area in cm2, frames of brood and frames covered with adult bees were (2813.13, 1730.94 and 1867.05cm2/colony), (3.13, 2.21 and 2.07 brood comb/colony) and (6.39, 4.44 and 4.38 comb of bees/colony), in groups I, II and III, respectively. The indigenous race significantly surpassed the carniolan race in brood production during summer season during high temperature commonly exceeds 45°C. Data also showed that no significant difference in foraging activity between the two examined races (indigenous and carniolan race) for gathering pollen during the first inspection period extended from 6 to 7am during the relatively cold, moderate and very high air temperature during inspection months. This situation differed between the two examined races during the second and third inspection period extended from 11 to 12am and 4 to 5pm, relatively high air temperature in June, August and October, during which the indigenous race significantly surpassed the carniolan race in foraging activity for gathering pollen. Moreover, the foraging activity was significantly higher in the first inspection period (6–7am) than the other two periods (11–12am and 4–5pm). When the numbers and percentages of died or superseded queens in the three inspection groups (I, II and III) were studied, no died or superseded queens were found in honey bee colonies in group (I) during the experimental period which was extended from March, 2009 to March, 2010. However, the percentages of failed queens during the experimental period were 0.00%, 45.00% and 60.00% in groups (I, II and III), respectively. The results also showed that increasing the size of the worker cells negatively affected brood production and population density in indigenous race and indigenous race is more tolerant and well adapted to the environmental conditions in the search area than carniolan race (imported). Therefore, this study recommends that improving the characteristics of indigenous and carniolan races should take place through breading programs, because the indigenous race shows high ability and good adaptation to the environmental conditions in the area but it is small in size, in addition their honey stomach and pollen basket are small, meanwhile the carniolan race is large in size and their honey stomach and pollen basket are great, but is not acclimatized to environmental conditions in the region, especially during the hot summer when the air temperature exceeds 45°C.

The Bumble Bees of Florida, Bombus spp.

The Bumble Bees of Florida, Bombus spp. (EENY050/IN207) Bumble bees are easily recognized by the corbicula (pollen basket) on the hind tibiae in the females. They are beneficial insects that pollinate many native and ornamental plants. They can sting severely, so problem nests near human dwellings should be removed by experienced pest control operators. This 5-page fact sheet includes a key to the bumble bees in Florida. Written by Lionel A. Stange and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, December 2011. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in207 Original publication date August 1998. Revised December 2011, December 2014, and March 2021.

Detection of infective Nosema ceranae (Microsporidia) spores in corbicular pollen of forager honeybees

Nosema ceranae is a Microsporidia recently described as a parasite in Apis mellifera honeybees in Europe. Due to the short time since its description, no epidemiological data are available. In this study, spore detection in both pollen baskets and pollen collected from commercial traps is described (PCM, TEM and PCR methods). Spore infectivity is shown after artificial infection of Nosema-free adult bees. The epidemiological consequences of the presence of Nosema spores in corbicular pollen require more study and must be considered in beekeeping practices.

Floral biology and behavior of Africanized honeybees Apis mellifera in soybean (Glycine max L. Merril)

This research was carried out to evaluate the pollination by Africanized honeybees Apis mellifera, the floral biology and to observe the hoarding behavior in the soybean flowers (Glycine max Merril), var. BRS-133. The treatments were constituted of demarcated areas for free visitation of insects, covered areas by cages with a honeybee colony (A. mellifera) and also covered areas by cage without insects visitation. All areas had 24 m² (4m x 6m). The soybean flowers stayed open for a larger time (82.82 ± 3.48 hours) in covered area without honeybees. The stigma of the flowers was also more receptive (P=0.0021) in covered area without honeybees (87.3 ± 33.0%) and at 10:42 o'clock was the schedule of greater receptivity. The pollen stayed viable in all treatments, the average was 99.60 ± 0.02%, which did not present differences among treatments. The percentage of abortion of the flowers was 82.91% in covered area without honeybees, this result was superior (P=0.0002) to the 52.66% and 53.95% of the treatments uncovered and covered with honeybees, respectively. Honeybees were responsible for 87.7% of the pollination accomplished by the insects. The medium amounts of total sugar and glucose measured in the nectar of the flowers were, 14.33 ± 0.96 mg/flower and 3.61 ± 0.36 mg/ flower, respectively, not showing differences (P<0.05) among the treatments. The total solids, measured through the manual refratometer were 21.33 ± 0.22% in uncovered area and 22.33 ± 0.38% in covered with honeybees and differed to each other (P=0.0001). The honeybees were the most frequent insect (95.18%). Other observed insects were the Lepidoptera with 3.51% and other bees with 1.32%, in uncovered area. Honeybees visited 2.24 flowers on average in uncovered area and 1.58 in covered with honeybees and presented behavior for nectar hoarding and hoarding nectar/pollen in this period. In uncovered area the time of nectar hoarding was 2.55 ± 0.07 seconds, this time was smaller (P=0.0039) than 2.87 ± 0.08 seconds observed in covered area with honeybees. The behavior for the hoarding type observed in honeybees foraging the soybean flowers, through the content of its honey stomach and pollen loads of its pollen basket showed that the nectar forager did not show a pattern for the nectar collection, but for the pollen collection the schedule of pollen peak of the forager was at 11:36 o'clock. The soybean flowers showed alteration in floral biology when exposed to honeybees.

Direct evidence for the plant origin of Brazilian propolis by the observation of honeybee behavior and phytochemical analysis.

To identify the plant origin of Brazilian propolis directly, we observed the behavior of honeybees in Minas Gerais State of Brazil. Honeybee workers bit and chewed leaves of the plant, Baccharis dracunculifolia, packed the material into their pollen basket, brought it back to their nest, and used it as propolis. We collected the leaves of B. dracunculifolia and propolis, and compared their constituents by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) analysis. There was no difference between the chemical constituents of the ethanol extracts of B. dracunculifolia and those of propolis. This indicates directly that the plant origin of Brazilian propolis is B. dracunculifolia.

Fontes de pólen utilizadas por Apis mellifera L. e algumas espécies de Trigonini (apidae) em Piracicaba (SP)

As fontes de pólen utilizadas por uma colônia de Apis mellifera e quatro colônias de algumas espécies de Trigonini foram comparadas durante outubro e novembro de 1996, no Câmpus da ESALQ-USP, Piracicaba (SP) (22o43'S; 47o25'W; altitude: 580 m). A identificação das espécies vegetais visitadas pelas abelhas foi realizada mediante o pólen encontrado nas massas localizadas nas corbículas das operárias das espécies estudadas. Identificaram-se 53 tipos polínicos, sendo a maior porcentagem de similaridade na utilização das fontes de pólen entre Nannotrigona testaceicornis e Tetragonisca angustula e, a menor, entre Apis mellifera e T. angustula. A seqüência das espécies com maior largura do nicho trófico foi A. mellifera seguida de Plebeia droryana, Partamona helleri, T. angustula e N. testaceicornis, enquanto, para a uniformidade de utilização das fontes de pólen, foi P. helleri, P. droryana, A. mellifera, N. testaceicornis e T. angustula.

Life History of Afrocypholaelaps africana (Evans) (Acari: Ameroseiidae), a Mite Inhabiting Mangrove Flowers and Phoretic on Honeybees

ABSTRACTIn October 1993, umbels of the river mangrove Aegiceras corniculatum were infested by the ameroseiid mite Afrocypholaelaps africana (up to 32,000 m‐2 of mangrove canopy) at each of 11 sites sampled in southeastern Queensland. Mite populations declined as flowering decreased and were locally extinct by 20 January. Individual mangrove florets lasted about 6 d; umbels were in flower for about 10 d. Unopened buds were mite‐free, but newly opened florets were colonised by all post‐embryonic stages of the mite. In the laboratory, the mites fed on pollen and sugar water. Mites dispersed on honeybees (Apis mellifera) primarily as egg‐bearing adult females; however, a relatively small proportion of males and immature stages also occurred on bees. Only adult females have sucker‐like ambulacral pads lacking claws, an apparent adaptation for phoresy. Most mites boarded and departed the bee via the tongue and were found on the venter of the head and thorax of the bee. Additionally, bees collected mites with pollen, and crushed many immature mites into their pollen baskets. Large populations of mites occurred on honeybees at beehives during late April.

A phoretic Uropodid mite associated with honey bee swarms of Northeastern Mexico

Abstract In a bait-hive survey of natural honey bee populations of central Tamaulipas state, Mexico, and South Texas, U.S.A., two Mexican, European-origin swarms were found to include phoretic deutonymphs of the family Uropodidae (Acari: Mesostigmata). Subsequently two Africanized honey bee swarms, captured in the state of Veracruz, were also found to harbor the mites. No adult mites were found. These are the first known instances of phoresy by this family of mites on Apis mellifera. Mites were attached on the pollen baskets of the bees with as many as 21 mites occurring per bee. The association reported here is most likely transitory; both bees and mites are essentially migrants exploiting the same habitats.

Collection of Neurospora by honeybees

Honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) were observed working colonies of Neurospora sp. sporulating abundantly on a cane sugar filter mud heap. The pellets forming the load in the bees' corbiculae (pollen baskets) were nearly 100% macroconidia. Conidia from the pellets averaged 13.5% germination in water in 4.5 h. As assessed from a photographic procedure, conidial masses in culture, and colonies on burnt cane stubble from the field, strongly reflected long wave ultraviolet, to which honeybees are visually highly sensitive; perithecia in culture, however, strongly absorbed long wave UV. A collection of the Neurospora from the heap, and ten collections from burnt cane stubble in the vicinity were all identified as N. intermedia Tai.

Observations on the pollination of Chinese gooseberries variety ‘Hayward’

Abstract Honey bees provided virtually all pollination of Chinese gooseberries. Honey bees usually visited male and female (lowers for pollen in the mornings, when pollen was damp and could be more readily packed in their pollen baskets. Male flowers attracted more bees than female flowers. Nectar secretion was not observed in male or female Chinese gooseberry flowers. The weight of individual fruit formed from flowers protected from bee visitation was significantly lighter than those not protected, but there was no significant difference in fruit number. Seed formation in protected fruit was significantly lower than in fruit exposed to bee visitation. Adequate pollination of Chinese gooseberries is difficult to attain because of various adverse factors. To ensure adequate pollination we recommend tentatively that hives be placed in orchards at the rate of eight per hectare.