Scaptotrigona Mexicana Research Articles

TOWARDS BIOCULTURAL CONSERVATION OF STINGLESS BEES IN CÓRDOBA, VERACRUZ, MEXICO

Based on biological and ethnobiological data from 2020 to 2022, this study provides a base line for the biocultural conservation of stingless bees. These bees in Mexico, like many other pollinators, are facing population declines and this biological loss impacts traditional human knowledge and its uses. This paper aims to record the traditional ecological knowledge about these bees to establish sustainable meliponiculture. Cultural values were obtained through participant observation, interviews, free listing, and structured questionnaires, and a bee inventory was conducted. Data were analyzed using Smith’s Prominence Index and descriptive statistics using SPSS v. 25 software. Inhabitants recognized 21 floral visitors, including invertebrates, mammals and birds. ‘Tenchales’ (local term for Scaptotrigona mexicana), hummingbirds and butterflies are the most culturally prominent floral visitors. The meliponini belonging to Scaptotrigona mexicana were recognized as ‘tenchal’, although different common names were obtained for other meliponini, denoting morphological and behavioral differences among the following species: Partamona bilineata, Plebeia pulchra, Scaptotrigona pectoralis, Scaura argyrea, Trigona corvina, Trigona fulviventris, Trigona fuscipennis and Trigona nigerrima. Although the research area is located near a large city, there is substantial diversity of melliferous flora, floral visitors, and traditional ecological knowledge used by the inhabitants in their daily activities. Stingless bees are perceived as the primary pollinators that help maintain their forests and thus help sustain their lives. This paper promotes better awareness of bioculturally effective community conservation strategies.

Genetic Diversity of the Stingless Bee Scaptotrigona mexicana (Guérin) in the Gulf of Mexico Slope.

Genetic diversity is an important attribute of populations, essential for understanding the ecological and evolutionary processes affecting them and assessing their health status. In Hymenoptera, such as eusocial bees, colony management can influence genetic diversity in both natural and managed populations. Management can impact admixture, increasing the number of alleles due to colony displacement and decreasing the number of alleles in natural populations due to colony extraction. In this study, we analyzed genetic diversity in natural and managed colonies as well as in drone congregations of Scaptotrigona mexicana (Guérin), to assess genetic diversity, patterns of genetic structure and gene flow, and the presence of diploid males. We identified three distinct genetic groups: Northern, Central, and Southern. Although genetic differentiation and limited gene flow among genetic groups were evident, we detected significant gene flow from wild to managed populations, suggesting that natural populations can be an important reservoir of genetic diversity. The highest genetic diversity was found in the Northern group, composed of managed localities. This is likely due to the introduction of new alleles through to colony translocation. Notably, some loci exhibited more than three alleles in localities where all analyzed individuals were from the same colony, indicating possible polyandry in the species. We also detected diploid males, which suggests inbreeding and/or inefficient mechanisms for their elimination from the colony. Our results provide an initial assessment of genetic diversity in both natural and managed populations, as well as in drone congregations of S. mexicana.

Physicochemical Properties of Two Mexican Stingless Bee Honeys to Strengthen Their Biocultural Value

Honey production in Mexico is an ancient economic, social, and biocultural activity for indigenous communities, Mayas, and Totonacs, among others. Stingless bee honeys are used in traditional medicine to treat gastrointestinal, respiratory, dermatological, and ophthalmic ailments as they contain compounds with antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal activities. Here, a comprehensive physicochemical characterization of Mexican stingless bee honeys is presented as a contribution to strengthening the practice of meliponiculture by native Mayan and Totonac communities. By delivering information on the main physicochemical parameters for the honeys of Melipona beecheii and Scaptotrigona mexicana, it is intended to increase their commercial and biocultural value in different regions of Mexico, taking into consideration the different zootechnical management techniques used by these communities. A statistical analysis was performed to identify if there were significant differences in the physicochemical parameters evaluated. Significant differences were observed in moisture level, pH, sugar composition, and HMF content between at least two of the honeys analyzed. Furthermore, a principal component analysis confirmed these differences by showing a distinct profile for Scaptotrigona mexicana honey when compared to the honeys of two other species. Here, the information that stingless beekeepers can use to classify and characterize the honeys they produce is provided. This information will complement the indisputable efforts by native populations to conserve biological biodiversity, the defense of their territories, and the various ancestral practices employed for the breeding, management, and reproduction of stingless bees. Furthermore, this information will help to increase the economic sustainability of meliponiculture by these communities.Graphical

Characterization of lactic acid bacteria isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of scaptotrigona mexicana and scaptotrigona pectoralis stingless bees

Stingless bees play an essential role as pollinators and have economic and cultural importance for their honey production. In the last decades, there has been a decrease in their populations by multiple factors. Stingless bees engage in symbiotic relationships with many microorganisms, some of which benefit the host nutritionally and protect them from natural enemies. Lactic acid bacteria benefit the host, but their probiotic ability depends on their antimicrobial capacity. This study included isolating and characterizing eight strains of lactic acid bacteria from the gastrointestinal tracts of stingless bees (Scaptotrigona mexicana and Scaptotrigona pectoralis). The bacterial phenotypic profile and antimicrobial activity, in vitro, against the pathogen Paenibacillus larvae and other common pathogens of the isolated bacteria, were also investigated. It was found that Weisella sp, Fructobacillus tropaeoli, Fructobacillus fructosus, and Fructobacillus pseudoficulneus showed probiotic potential.

In Vitro Antimycotic Activity and Structural Damage against Canine Malassezia pachydermatis Strains Caused by Mexican Stingless Bee Propolis.

This work describes the antimycotic activity of propolis from the stingless bees Scaptotrigona mexicana and Tetragonisca angustula, collected from two Mexican regions (Veracruz and Chiapas, respectively), against three clinical isolates and the reference strain ATCC 14522 of Malassezia pachydermatis, the causative agent of canine otitis. The chemical components of the ethanolic extracts of propolis were determined by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and sesquiterpenes were the predominant compounds. The antimycotic activity was evaluated by plate microdilution. The induced changes in the yeasts were evaluated by fluorescence microscopy and staining with calcofluor white and propidium iodide. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was 7.11 mg/mL, and the minimum fungicidal concentration was 21.33 mg/mL for both extracts. The EPPs of Scaptotrigona mexicana and Tetragonisca angustula caused substantial damage to yeast morphology, where the propidium iodide staining of the yeasts treated with both EEPs revealed the penetration of this marker, which indicates the destruction of the cell wall and plasma membrane of the fungi. This result suggests that these types of propolis could be used as alternative treatments for canine external otitis. To the best of our knowledge, this seems to be the first scientific report that has demonstrated structural damage in Malassezia pachydermatis by Mexican stingless bee propolis.

Formulation of gummies with Persian lemon bagasse (Citrus latifolia Tanaka) and stingless bee honey (Scaptotrigona mexicana): acceptance and purchase intention

Objectives: This project proposes the integration of stingless bee honey (Scaptotrigona mexicana) and Persian lemon bagasse (Citrus latifolia Tanaka) in the formulation of a functional product to promote its commercial use as by-products of food generated in supply chains. supply. Methodology: Seven formulations of Persian lemon bagasse, glucose and stingless bee honey were evaluated for the gummy candy proposal. The study was conducted with consumers in a centralized location setting. The level of liking was measured with a 9-point hedonic scale. Acceptability and purchase intention were measured with a binomial scale. Contribution: it was observed that the samples with the highest acceptance by consumers were those that did not contain Persian lemon bagasse.

Fruit production in coffee (Coffea arabica L.) crops is enhanced by the behaviour of wild bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

AbstractChanges in floral visitors' diversity and community composition have been reported to affect coffee production, which optimal growing conditions are cool to warm tropical climates found in the coffee belt. However, few studies have focused on understanding how insects' foraging behaviour (e.g., contact with floral reproductive organs) relates with coffee production. Thus, it is important to consider floral visitors' foraging behaviour, as this can influence the transfer of conspecific pollen required for plant fertilisation, the efficiency of floral visitors and improve the pollination service provided. Here, we assessed how foraging behaviour of honeybees and stingless bees affects coffee fruit set and fruit weight in conventional and agroecological managed crops. We quantified local floral resources and recorded diversity, abundance and behaviour of floral visitors at eight pairs of sites with agroecological and conventional management systems to assess how foraging behaviour of honeybees and stingless bees affects coffee fruit set and fruit weight in both types of managed crops. We found that the managed honeybee Apis mellifera and three wild bees Tetragonisca angustula, Scaptotrigona mexicana and Partamona bilineata are the principal floral visitors of coffee crops in Guatemala, whose total abundance but not richness was higher in agroecological areas. Regarding their behaviours, we observed that the average number of flowers visited by P. bilineata and its behaviour of touching the nectaries of coffee flowers were positively related to fruit set, while only the percentage of A. mellifera carrying pollen was positively related with fruit weight, suggesting that although A. mellifera is found in large quantities, wild bees are also efficient pollinators of coffee in the region. Our findings also suggest that in other tropical regions where coffee is grown and honeybees have been observed as a primary pollinator, wild bees may play an important role when considering their behaviour. In the same way, coffee farms in Guatemala are a representation of the diversity of agroecosystems found worldwide, and thus, the study of foraging behaviour of managed and wild bees and the conservation of wild bee species in different coffee agroecosystems should be emphasised to improve the production of coffee and other cash crops.

Strategies to reduce the infestation of Pseudohypocera kerteszi (Diptera: Phoridae) in colonies of Scaptotrigona mexicana (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Objective: We intend to describe the strategies used for the control Pseudohypocera kerteszi in colonies of Scaptotrigona mexicana which help to reduce infestation during transfer, division, and harvest. Design/methodology/approach: In this research, bibliographic sources of information on the control of P. kerteszi during the management of S. mexicana were used. The selected strategies were implemented by the authors of this manuscript, so they provided the experiences that were had in the control of P. kerteszi in the colonies of S. mexicana. Results: We report six strategies applied to reduce the attack of P. kerteszi: 1) perform the transfer in a closed place, 2) minimize the damage to the offspring, 3) do not introduce food, 4) close the entrance to the nest for at least two days, 5) place vinegar traps, when necessary and in the initial stages of the infestation and 6) feed and clean bees the following days after the transfer or division. Limitations on study/implications: Any limitation was involved in this study. Findings/conclusions: The attack of P. kerteszi on S. mexicana colonies takes place during the transfer of nests, artificial division and the harvest of honey. Strategies to avoid infestation consist of using the appropriate box design, harvesting in an enclosed place, and avoiding breaking honey pots. During the critical stages of infestation, the revision must keep daily to clean the box, place vinegar traps, and make a manual control.

Traditional knowledge and actions of the Pisel Nek-mej (Scaptotrigona mexicana) stingless bee honey production in Cuetzálan, Puebla

Objective: During the last few years, the production of honey from stingless bees has become significant, as a result of its therapeutic properties. However, its production and commercialization are limited by the low yield per colony and its high sale price. This study seeks to recover the lore and actions that a group of producers from Cuetzálan, Puebla, Mexico has about the production of honey from the Scaptotrigona mexicana species of stingless bees. The objective was to collect information about the handling, production, and commercialization of tis bee species, as well as the challenges that producers face in the Cuetzálan region. Design/Methodology/Approach: This research was carried out using a qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather the information. The participants were chosen using the snowball sampling technique, contacting stingless bee honey producers in Cuetzálan, Puebla, Mexico. Results: The lore about the handling of the stingless bees is passed on from generation to generation. This traditional handling is understood as a cultural symbol. This type of honey is renowned for its medicinal properties; however, its production is scarce, and the resulting product is very expensive. Consequently, the theft and adulteration of honey has become a major problem, creating mistrust among consumers. Study Limitations/Implications: More producers should be interviewed, and additional proof of the handling processes used to identify adulteration should be gathered. This information would be used to develop recommendations that could be applied in other producing regions of the country. Findings/Conclusions: The social and scientific recognition of the properties of stingless bee honey shows the importance of adopting innovations; however, including organizational processes to improve the commercialization channels and to minimize unfair honey production practices is also very important.

The Chemical Composition of Scaptotrigona mexicana Honey and Propolis Collected in Two Locations: Similarities and Differences.

The chemical composition of stingless bee honey and propolis depends on the plant sources they are derived from, and thus reflects the flora available in the vicinity of the hives, the preferences of the bee species, and the climate (altitude and temperature). To understand the relative influence of these factors, we studied the composition of honey and propolis of the stingless bee Scaptotrigona mexicana. Samples from 24 colonies were analyzed: 12 each from two S. mexicana meliponaries located in the state of Chiapas in southern Mexico, approximately 8.5 km apart, Tuxtla Chico and Cacahoatán. The chemical composition of honey and propolis was studied using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), respectively. The antioxidant activity of propolis was also studied. Chemometric analyses were applied. The Tuxtla Chico honey samples contained higher concentrations of glucose and fructose, while the Cacahoatán samples displayed a rich composition of di- and trisaccharides. These differences can be attributed to the distinct nectar sources utilized by the bees at each location. Propolis compositions in the two locations also demonstrated qualitative differences, indicating a specific choice of resins by the bees. The observed substantial variations in the chemical composition of propolis and honey of S. mexicana from two locations relatively close to each other supports the assumption that bee species cannot be considered the most important factor in determining their chemistry.

Management practices and seasonality affect stingless bee colony growth, foraging activity, and pollen diet in coffee agroecosystems

Stingless bees are essential pollinators in tropical ecosystems. Yet compared to their temperate zone counterparts, we know very little about how they respond to agriculture-associated land use, or how this effect is modulated by seasonal variation. Coffee, a dominant crop across the tropics, is grown under diverse management practices, making coffee agroecosystems an important context in which to investigate effects of agricultural management on stingless bees. We evaluated the performance and pollen diet of replicated experimental colonies of the stingless bee Scaptotrigona mexicana in three habitats in a coffee-dominated landscape in southern Chiapas, Mexico: a conventional sun coffee farm, a shaded organic coffee farm, and a forest fragment. We asked how habitat and seasonality influenced colony weight, forager activity, and pollen diet over one year. We placed eight experimental colonies in three habitats (three each in coffee farms; two in forest) and monitored them monthly for colony weight and forager activity. We collected corbicular pollen loads from returning foragers and identified pollen morphospecies. We compared performance and diet metrics across habitats and between wet and dry seasons. Colony performance was dramatically worse in the sun coffee farm; all sun coffee colonies died during the study. Colony performance did not differ between shade coffee and forest. Pollen diet richness was lower in the sun coffee colonies, but all habitats shared the same core pollen morphospecies. Across habitats, colony weight and activity and pollen diet richness decreased during the wet season. Our study suggests that conventional sun coffee cannot support stingless bee colonies, likely because of combined effects of agrochemical exposure and floral resource scarcity. By contrast, shade coffee is equivalent to forests in supporting stingless bee colonies.

Fighting ability and the toxicity of raiding pheromone in an obligate kleptoparasite, the stingless bee Lestrimelitta niitkib

The evolution of obligate kleptoparasitism, the theft of food, has led to remarkable innovations, including physical weapons and chemical signals that can evolve into chemical weapons. Stingless bees in the genus Lestrimelitta are excellent examples of this phenomenon because they are obligate kleptoparasites that no longer collect floral resources and instead steal brood resources from other bees. Their ability to raid successfully is thus essential to their fitness even when they fight species that are physically bigger, have larger defense forces, or both. We conducted morphometric analyses, quantified Lestrimelitta niitkib mandibular gland pheromone (MGP) components, and carried out individual fighting trials between L. niitkib and the stingless bee Scaptotrigona mexicana, a common victim species, to shed light on the detailed reasons for their success at robbing. Measurements showed that L. niitkib mandibles have thicker exoskeleton cuticles and overall greater width, particularly in the medial and proximal sections, than S. mexicana, which is quite similar in body size. In all fights, L. niitkib bit victims and released MGP, as it does during raids. Scaptotrigona mexicana victims exhibited significantly increased uncoordinated behaviors and showed partial or complete paralysis. We analyzed and quantified the major components of MGP, which consisted of large quantities of geranial (mean of 253 μg) and neral (48 μg) per bee. Microinjections of 1 bee equivalent (BE) of natural or synthetic MGP and ≥ 0.1 BE of geranial significantly increased deleterious behaviors and paralysis as compared to control injections. We suggest that the large quantities of MGP used during raiding have led to an unexpected outcome, a semiochemical evolving the additional function of a toxin, and contribute to the ability of Lestrimelitta to rob its victims.Significance statementKleptoparasites, organisms that steal food resources, employ multiple physical and chemical tools to survive. The success of kleptoparasitism requires a balance between honesty and coercion in interspecific communication. The genus Lestrimellita consists of a group of kleptoparasitic stingless bee species that raid other bee colonies for food and therefore depend upon winning these raids. However, why they succeed remains not fully understood. We studied differences in morphology between L. niitkib and its victims, the pheromones they release during raids, and ran individual fight trials between L. niitkib and a common victim to identify why they are successful. We suggest that the release of pheromones at the beginning of raids, in concert with the pheromone’s toxicity, has been combined to improve L. niitkib’s ability to successfully rob.

Gene Flow from Wild to Managed Colonies in the Stingless Bee Scaptotrigona Mexicana and an Update on its Mating Frequency

Abstract Researchers have hypothesized that wild stingless bee colonies are a repository of genes for managed populations via the mating of managed virgin queens with males from wild colonies. We tested this hypothesis with the stingless bee, Scaptotrigona mexicana, a culturally important species in the study region. Each of ten colonies were split into two colonies and placed in a meliponary, which resulted in ten queen-right mother colonies and ten queenless daughter colonies. We allowed daughter colonies to produce gynes, which then naturally mated with males of unknown origins. Six months later, five third-instar larvae from each colony were genotyped at six microsatellite loci. Four new alleles (12% of 33 alleles) were found in daughter colonies that were not present in any other mother colony. The Fst index showed no overall significant differences between mother and daughter colonies, indicating that they belonged to the same population despite the new alleles. Interestingly, nine queens were estimated to be polyandrous, with an average mating frequency of 1.3, unlike previous reports for this species. These results have implications for the fitness of managed stingless bee colonies and suggest that a better understanding of how gene flow is affected by human management practices would be beneficial.

Physicochemical characterization, antioxidant and antifungal activity of three stingless bee pollen aggregate (Apidae: Meliponini) from Soconusco, Chiapas

<p>La interacción planta-abeja puede generar productos de la colmena con diferentes características fisicoquímicas, bioactivos y actividad antimicrobiana. Por lo cual, en este trabajo se determinó la composición química de conglomerados o agregados de polen colectados de 12 colmenas establecidas en Chiapas, México, en los municipios Tapachula, Mazatán y Cacahoatán, dentro de tres meliponarios comerciales asociados a las especies: <em>Melipona beecheii</em>, <em>Scaptotrigona mexicana</em> y <em>Tetragonisca angustula</em>. Asimismo, se evaluó el efecto de los agregados de polen en <em>Colletotrichum gloeosporioides</em>. Se encontró una composición química muy diversa independientemente de la especie de abeja. El polen obtenido de colmenas con <em>M. beecheii</em> tuvieron la mayor cantidad de fenoles, flavonoides y acidez libre. Estas propiedades, en adición de la capacidad antioxidante (trolox), glucosa y pH, estuvieron asociados a la inhibición del crecimiento <em>in vitro</em> de<em> C. gloeosporioides</em>. La velocidad de crecimiento radial del hongo durante nueve días fue de 0.013 a 0.009 mm h-1 con extractos de polen, 44 % menor que el efecto del clorotalonil. La actividad antifúngica de los extractos de polen fue de 65 y 37 % para <em>M. beecheii</em>, 57 y 16 % para <em>T. angustula</em> y 60 y 30 % para S. mexicana, respecto al tratamiento testigo y a la dosis más alta de clorotalonil, respectivamente.</p>

Lactic acid bacteria isolated from the Stingless bee Scaptotrigona mexicana and partial characterization of their probiotic activity

The objective of this study was to isolate lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from honey produced by the stingless bee Scaptotrigona mexicana from southern of Mexico, and to evaluate their probiotic potential. From fresh and fermented honey, 18 strains were isolated. Of these, 10 had presumptive LAB biochemical characteristics. Their ability to grow at different pH values and different temperatures, susceptibility to antibiotics, and ability to inhibit Salmonella sp. and Escherichia coli were assessed. All the strains tested were resistant or moderately susceptible to penicillin, dicloxacillin, and ampicillin. The strains that showed tolerance to pH 2.5 were the bacteria labeled FIM1 and FIM2, and only strains OP3 and TUX5 were able to grow at 5 °C. Although none of the supernatant growth media of the strains inhibited the development of pathogenic bacteria, other tests should be done to verify the probiotic nature of the strains that exhibited some characteristic of interest.

Floral resources collected by four native bees species in southern Mexico

Melissopalynological analysis of 14 honey samples of Tetragonisca angustula (two), Scaptotrigona mexicana (six), Melipona beecheii (three) and Melipona solani (three) from Soconusco region in Chiapas, Mexico was performed. A total of 79 taxa were identified, being Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Melostomataceae and Rubiaceae the predominant pollen types. Melissopalynological analysis reported a monofloral composition for Melipona beecheii honeys, where the most predominant pollen type was Fabaceae (54.2%). T. angustula, Scaptotrigona mexicana and Melipona solani honey samples were multifloral and predominant pollen types were Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Melastomataceae and Solanaceae. The most frequent polliniferous pollen type were Asteraceae, Bernardia interrupta, Euphorbia heterophyla and Miconia. Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H′) for Melipona beecheii 2016 (2.21) and Melipona solani 2017 (1.64) were lower meanwhile honeys of Melipona beecheii 2017, S. mexicana 2017, Melipona solani 2016 and T. angustula 2017 were considered as fairly diverse, because they visited a wider range of plant species, by preferring shrub and wild strata such as: Asteraceae, Euphorbia, Euphorbiaceae, Miconia and Mimosa. Our results showed that the foraging behaviour of these bee species is polylectic, as no taxa was found to be more than 70% of the counted grains. Since the study of the collection of meliponine flower resources in the southern region of Mexico have not been studied yet, it is not possible to analyse the foraging behaviour, the use of resources and the management of these species in this region.

Stingless bee honeys from Soconusco, Chiapas: a complementary approach

Physicochemical, acceptance and palynological studies were performed in stingless bee honeys from Soconusco, Chiapas, in order to learn and contribute to their knowledge in the Tropics. Nine honey samples were collected from Melipona solani (Ms), M. beecheii (Mb) and Scaptotrigona mexicana (Sm) in different meliponaries. Our results registered physico-chemical values that ranged as follow; pH 2.8-4.8, electrical conductivity (EC) 114-1211 μS/cm, free acidity 24-100 meq/kg, aw 59-71 g/100g, moisture 35-38 %, color 0.13-0.75 Pfund scale, reducing sugars 47-71 %, hidroxymethylfurfural (HMF) not determined – 2.72 mg/100g, and diastase activity 1.92-11.22 DN. On the other hand, the principal component analysis (PCA) of physicochemical values showed that 86.9 % of the total variability between species was explained by the following parameters aw, moisture, free acidity, color, pH, sugars and EC. Sm honeys were associated (PCA) with a higher water content, free acidity and darker colors, while Melipona honeys with a sweeter taste and a lower diastase activity; thus honeys could be grouped by genera. The acceptance test showed that 78 % of honeys were preferred, being the SmCa sample in the category “I likely dislike” due to the bitter taste (disapproved by consumers). The melisopalynological results showed that M. beecheii honeys are monofloral with a 45 % of Fabaceae pollen, while Melipona solani and Scaptotrigona mexicana honeys are multi or polyfloral with diferent pollen types; Fabaceae, Melastomataceae, Malvaceae and Asteraceae. From this complementary study we can asume that it is necessary to implicate researchers with producers, so they could have accesss to stingless bee honey analysis and to help them to improve meliponaries management by identifying and introducing stingless bee flora.

Propiedad antifúngica de mieles sobre el desarrollo in vitro de Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

<p>Aunado a la alta toxicidad de los productos químicos para el control fitosanitario de las enfermedades fúngicas a nivel de campo, el microorgansimso causante de enfermedad no es completamente eliminado, por lo que, productos de origen natural tanto vegetal como animal han generado interés para el control de plagas y enfermedades en las plantas. El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo principal evaluar la actividad antifúngica de mieles de abeja en el crecimiento<em> in vitro</em> de <em>Colletotrichum gloeosporioides</em>. Se evaluaron nueve muestras de mieles, correspondientes a tres especies de abejas: <em>Melipona solani</em>, <em>M. beecheii y Scaptotrigona mexicana</em>. Se encontró que el diámetro de la colonia de <em>C</em>. <em>gloeosporioides</em> fue menor a mayor concentración de miel, con un 40% menos crecimiento de la colonia respecto al tratamiento testigo a los 12 días de incubación. En general la tasa de crecimiento de la colonia del hongo en las mieles correspondientes a los tres tipos de abeja fue en promedio de 40% menos que el testigo. El valor de porcentaje de inhibición observada en las mieles de abeja fue 70% mayor a lo obtenido con el fungicida Clorotalonil.</p>

Effect of GF-120 (Spinosad) Aerial Sprays on Colonies of the Stingless Bee Scaptotrigona mexicana (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and the Honey Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae).

Despite their relevant contribution to the conservation of tropical ecosystems and crop productivity through pollination, the stingless bees (Apidae: Meliponini) can be considered a group of neglected species in the assessment of pesticides upon nontarget organisms. In this article, we evaluated the effect of aerial sprays of the spinosad-based fruit fly toxic bait GF-120 upon colonies of the stingless bee Scaptotrigona mexicana Guérin (Hymenoptera: Apidae), an economically important and abundant species in some landscapes of Mexico, located in mango orchards. Colonies of the honey bee Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) were used for comparison. Eight colonies (four of A. mellifera and four of S. mexicana) were moved into each of two mango orchards, one was used as a control, with no insecticide application, and other received five weekly aerial sprays of GF-120. Foraging activity and strength of colonies of both species were measured nine times over the fruiting season, previous, during and after insecticide application. We did not find a significant difference in foraging activity and strength between exposed and control colonies of A. mellifera during the observation period. However, colonies of S. mexicana seemed to be affected by the exposure, as revealed by a reduction in colony strength. However, 1 yr later, with no insecticide applications, the colonies of both species were evaluated and found to be in good conditions. Our results showed that weekly aerial sprays of GF-120 are unlikely to generate acute poisoning in both species, even if in acute toxicity tests this product has been found to be highly active.

Associative learning of non-nestmate odor marks between colonies of the stingless bee Scaptotrigona mexicana Guérin (Apidae, Meliponini) during foraging

Stingless bees use chemical signals to communicate nestmates the location of rich food sources. Such information may be intercepted by conspecifics from other colonies. In this study, we investigated if chemical information from non-nestmates can be used to orient foragers of the stingless bee Scaptotrigona mexicana to food sources. In the first experiment, foragers were exposed to feeders that were differentially odor-marked by nestmates and non-nestmates, and their preferences for both types of feeders were recorded. In a second experiment, we marked different feeders with mandibular or labial gland extracts of nestmates and non-nestmates. Results from the first experiment indicate that foragers were able to associate odor marks from non-nestmates with rich food sources. In the second experiment, we observed that foragers did not differentiate between the gland extracts of nestmates and those from non-nestmates. We discuss these findings within a behavioral and ecological framework.