Trigona Research Articles

Roles of nectar robbers in reproduction of the tropical treelet Quassia amara (Simaroubaceae)

Different subsets of mainland nectarivores visited Quassia amara (Simaroubaceae), a self-compatible, predominately bird-pollinated treelet, at three islands and the mainland in Panamá. Factors correlated with reproductive success, defined as seed to ovule ratio, included the species pollinating and robbing flowers, visitor activity, pollinator response to nectar robbing, and internal regulation of fruit production. The absence of robbers and former pollinators on an island separated from the mainland during the holocene was associated with shifts in flower size, nectar production, and 3-4fold increases in population reproductive success and pollinator efficiency (=seeds produced per visit). Exclusion of robbers at three sites resulted in seed production 4-12 times greater than control flowers, at which robbers accounted for 52-98% of all visits. Although 36% of buds and over 83% of all flowers were robbed, this had no direct influence on the recorded 36-61% respective abortion rates of buds and flowers. Opportunistic avian robbers appeared where normal robbers were absent; three avian robbers extensively used floral perforations made by Trigona bees, and all ancillary pollinators also robbed. Selection pressures from nectar robbers are discussed that may relate to plant reproductive fitness.

Honeybee pollination of Japanese plums (Prunus salicina Lindl. cv. Satsuma) in the Goulburn Valley, Victoria

The pollination requirements of Japanese plums (Prunus salicina Lindl. cv. Satsuma) were examined in an orchard in the Goulburn Valley area of Victoria. Trees which were accessible to honeybees (Apis mellifera) had a higher percentage pollination rate (3.2 times) greater weight of fruit (2.6 times) and more fruit (3.3 times) than did the trees that were enclosed to exclude bees and large insects. Honeybees comprised 88.5% of all insect visitors to the flowers. The behaviour patterns of other insects were such that they would effect little or no pollination. Pollen gathering bees are considered the main pollinators of this species because of their activity early in flowering. No native bees (Trigona spp.) were seen to visit the flowers. While parthenocarpy and wind pollination may produce some fruit on Satsuma, the presence of an adequate population of honeybees is necessary to set a satisfactory crop.

Aerial defense of the nest by workers of the stingless bee Trigona (Tetragonisca) angustula (Latreille) (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

The stingless bee Trigona (Tetragonisca) angustula has a sophisticated defense strategy against flying insect predators at the entrance of its nest. Groups of worker bees hover on both sides in front of the nest entrance tube, facing a flight corridor leading to the nest. Intruders which enter this corridor are attacked by these bees from the side and from behind and are forced to the ground by biting bees clinging to their wings. T. angustula is subject to predation by Lestrimelitta limao, a cleptobiotic stingless bee which performs organized raids on other nests to rob food supplies, larval provisions and nest constructing material. The presence of citral, released by L. limao during the raids, leads to a rapid increase in the number of hovering guard bees in front of T. angustula nests. This recruitment in response to citral suggests that the defense behavior in T. angustula has evolved under the pressure of L. limao raids and that citral functions in T. angustula as an alarm kairomone.

The Process of Colony Multiplication in the Sumatran Stingless Bee Trigona (Tetragonula) laeviceps

The Process of Colony Multiplication in the Sumatran Stingless Bee Trigona (Tetragonula) laeviceps

The Widespread Occurrence of Anther Destruction by Trigona Bees in Melastomataceae

The Widespread Occurrence of Anther Destruction by Trigona Bees in Melastomataceae

Pollination of Mabea Occidentalis (Euphorbiaceae) in Panama

The reproductive biology of Mabea occidentalis (Euphorbiaceae), an understory tree of tropical moist forests, was studied on Barro Colorado Island, Panama. Morphological and be- havioral features of the flowers suggest that M. occidentalis is adapted to pollination by bats. These characteristic floral features include maroon and green inflorescences that hang outside of the foliage, nocturnal anthesis, strong musty odor, and many staminate flowers that produce relatively large amounts of pollen and nectar. Nectar concentration and composition fit the chiropterophilous syndrome. The largely self-incompatible inflorescences of M. occidentalis are visited nocturnally by small bats (Glossophaga soricina and Carollia castanea), the red woolly opossum, and noctuid and pyralid moths and diurnally by Trigona bees. The relative roles and contrasting foraging strategies of these potential pollinators are discussed. This is the first report of bat pollination for Euphor- biaceae.

Nectar and Pollen Robbing of Thunbergia grandiflora by Trigona Bees in Costa Rica

Nectar and Pollen Robbing of Thunbergia grandiflora by Trigona Bees in Costa Rica

The identity of Rumicicarpus ramosissimus Chiov. (Tiliaceae)

Rumicicarpus ramosissimus Chiov. is found to be conspecific with Triumfetta trigona Sprague & Hutch. The latter name is to be used for the combined taxon, which belongs to the T. flavescens group of sect. Triumfetta. The distribution of T. trigona is mapped.

The effect of ultra-low-volume aerial applications of endosulfan applied against Glossina (Diptera: Glossinidae) on populations of non-target organisms in savanna woodland in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia

AbstractDuring ultra-low-volume aerial applications of endosulfan at 14 g/ha for control of Glossina morsitans morsitans Westw. and G. pallidipes Aust. in savanna woodland in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia, the effects on other organisms were monitored. The numbers and varieties of arthropods, mainly insects, were studied by catches in light-straps and open trays. Mortalities amongst exposed aquatic insects, fish, frogs, mice and stingless bees (Trigona spp.) were noted. No deleterious effect of the insecticide was demonstrated, Other than on fish (Tilapia spp.) in shallow water.

Nesting Association Between Two Neotropical Polybiine Wasps (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)

Nidification by the docile wasp, Mischocyttarus immarginatus, is highly selective for the immediate surroundings of Polybia occidentalis nests during the dry season in Costa Rica. INTERSPECIFIC NESTING RELATIONSHIPS may reflect the attempts of susceptible species to nest in proximity to more numerous or more aggressive species thereby lessening the effects of predation. The social Hymenoptera are commonly involved in nesting associations in the tropics. The nest-building activities of many birds are concentrated within a zone of safety surrounding the nests of aggressive vespid wasps such as Polistes in the Neotropics (Richards and Richards 1951) and Ropalidia in Africa (Moreau 1936). The nesting of oropendolas and caciques (Icteridae) near large nests of the polybiine wasps, Polybia (Myers 1929), Stelopolybia, Protopolybia, and the stingless bee Trigona, is thought by Smith (1968) to lessen predation by other vertebrates. The attraction of bird nesting to trees containing nests of the vicious African ant, Oecophylla, has been documented by MacLaren (1950). Janzen (1969) has shown that various lowland Central American birds nest preferentially in swollen thorn acacias (myrmecophytes) normally occupied by obligate acacia ants of the genus Pseu

NOTES ON THE BIOLOGY AND WAXES OF FOUR SPECIES OF AFRICAN TRIGONA BEES (HYMENOPTERA: APIDAE)

Proceedings of the Royal Entomological Society of London. Series A, General EntomologyVolume 29, Issue 4-6 p. 62-70 NOTES ON THE BIOLOGY AND WAXES OF FOUR SPECIES OF AFRICAN TRIGONA BEES (HYMENOPTERA: APIDAE) F. G. Smith B.SC.(For.), F. G. Smith B.SC.(For.) Beeswax Officer, Beekeeping Research Station, Department of Agriculture, Tabora, TanganyikaSearch for more papers by this author F. G. Smith B.SC.(For.), F. G. Smith B.SC.(For.) Beeswax Officer, Beekeeping Research Station, Department of Agriculture, Tabora, TanganyikaSearch for more papers by this author First published: June 1954 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3032.1954.tb01200.xCitations: 3AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume29, Issue4-6June 1954Pages 62-70 RelatedInformation

On the production of males and females in Melipona and Trigona

<i>On the production of males and females in</i> Melipona <i>and</i> Trigona

Bees and Aphides

IN his interesting communication respecting the relations supposed to exist between Trigona and Membracis, Dr. H. Muller appears to have overlooked the Abbe Boisier's observation (Kirby and Spence, “Introduction to Entomology,” 7th edition, p. 384) that hive-bees will collect the honey-dew excreted by Aphides. I have also observed the same habit in humble-bees.