Aspectos comportamentais e morfológicos de Plebeia emerina (Friese, 1900) (hymenoptera, apidae, meliponini) relacionados à própolis

• Ano de defesa: 2007
• Autor(a) principal: Santos, Camila Gonçalves dos
• Orientador(a): Blochtein, Betina
• Tipo de documento: Tese
• Tipo de acesso: Acesso aberto
• Idioma: por
• Instituição de defesa: Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul; Porto Alegre
• Palavras-chave em Português: ZOOLOGIA; APÍDEOS; ABELHAS; COLMEIAS; PRÓPOLIS
• Link de acesso: http://hdl.handle.net/10923/5396

In stingless bees colonies, the application of propolis is diverse, being used as raw material in constructions and in the defense against enemies. There are records of viscous propolis storage in the form of isolated clusters in nests of Tetragonisca angustula and species of Plebeia. It is believed that worker bee glandular substances may be added to the propolis, specifically for the maintenance of its viscous state. Two colonies of Plebeia emerina (Friese, 1900) were evaluated between October 2003 and September 2004, regarding the seasonal characterization of the area, the number and the spacial distribution of isolated propolis clusters. These clusters were measured and their relative position in the colonies was recorded, in a monthly basis. Between September 2004 and January 2005, the propolis related work division was investigated, through the observation of marked worker bees, in four colonies. In parallel, the development of worker bees head and intramandibular salivary glands was characterized, in different life stages (recently emerged, 20-30 day old and field worker bees), aiming to relate gland functionality to the age group in which worker bees operate in viscous propolis maceration. The glands were analyzed under light, scanning electron and transmission microscopes. Results demonstrated that the area and number of propolis clusters in colonies were significantly lower between October and March. The increase of the areas of propolis clusters, between April and September, may be related to the preparation of the colonies for the autumn-winter period. The seasonal analysis of storage distribution indicates a preference for propolis clustering in the anterior position of the colony, throughout the entire period. This finding strengthens the hypothesis of the application of viscous propolis in defense, mainly at the entrance of the colonies.The work on viscous propolis clusters began on the 13th day and continued until the 56th day. The greatest cephalic salivary gland development was recorded in 20-30 day old worker bees. Suggest that substances are added to the propolis clusters, reinforcing the hypothesis of maintaining the viscous state of the product. In addition, the function of the secretory intramandibular epithelium, hypertrophied in 20-30 day old and field worker bees, possibly involves jaw lubrication, making propolis maceration possible.