Diversidade de abelhas sem ferrão (Apidae, Meliponini) no município de Cocal, Piauí

Abstract

Despite their importance, stingless bees are in an accelerated process of disappearance, caused mainly by the loss of habitats and deforestation of native forests, the preferred environment for these species. In this sense, an excellent alternative for the conservation of these bees consists of meliponiculture. However, although very advantageous, rational breeding is hampered by the lack of biological and zootechnical information, since many of the stingless bees have not even been identified as to their species. The fact that there are few studies in relation to these bees makes it essential to know the diversity of stingless bees to promote their conservation and sustainable use. In this sense, the objective of this work was to carry out a survey of the diversity of species of stingless bees found in the municipality of Cocal-PI. The work was elaborated through the survey of stingless bees found in rural areas of the study site. To identify the location of the nests, local residents were consulted, who assisted in this process, as they have great knowledge about the characteristics of stingless bees. The photographic records of the bees were carried out between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm during the months of March, April, May, June, July and August 2020, which comprise the end of the rainy season and the beginning of the dry season in the municipality. , thus guaranteeing the observation of bees with visitation on plants that bloom in the rainy season and those that bloom in the dry season. 16 species of stingless bees were found. It was concluded that the municipality of Cocal has a large number of species of stingless bees, which are very important for the pollination of various agricultural species in the municipality, that the creation of stingless bees in the municipality is an old traditional activity and that the municipality has great potential for meliponiculture due to the diversity of floral resources it has