The bees of the orchids: la tribu Euglossini (Hymenoptera, Apidae). First reports in the Valleys of the Manduriacus, Cotacachi Canton, Province of Imbabura
Michaela H. Yanouch; Mara Fernanda Lopez; Francisco Tobar Suarez
Abstract
This research consisted of monitoring and recording the specimens of the Euglossini tribe (Hymenoptera, Apidae) as a point of reference in the interaction of pollinators in orchids in the Valles de los Manduriacus, Cotacachi district, Imbabura Province, Ecuador. In addition, the research also makes revisions of museum collections and collections of specimens in the field with aroma traps. These collections have been in degraded ecosystems where four of the five genera of the tribe have been registered. The investigation reveals that some females of the genus Euglossa enter and leave the holes of the blocks of the dwellings, which could suggest that they use them as a refuge or for their nesting. This finding is very important since the Euglossini tribe is characterized by having a solitary lifestyle; they do not form hives, nor is there a queen. These nests are small and there is no honey production (Michener 1974). Undoubtedly one of the most significant aspects of this group of bees is their close relationship with orchids (Gerlach 2003). This differs them from other families of plants that produce some type of food as a reward. Some subtribes or genera of the group of Orchids produce aromas that are collected by the males of the different Euglossini lineages which they may use as trophies to mate (Roubick Hanson 2004). As a result of this work, relevant data was obtained on the preferred aromas of these bees and the presence of pollen. The pollen found in some of the insects could could be evaluated, which potentially could indicate how these groups interact in the biology of pollination, and how close the synergy between Euglossini and Orchidaceae can be, that is, if the pollinators disappear, the plants could also disappear.
Keywords
References
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