POPULATION FLUCTUATION OF Trigona spinipes (Fabricius, 1793) IN PEACH TREE AT THE EXPERIMENTAL STATION OF EPAMIG, MARIA DA FÉ, MG

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.97331123190710

• Palavras-chave: Native bee, pollination, population dynamics, agricultural crops, ecological importance.

• Keywords: Native bee, pollination, population dynamics, agricultural crops, ecological importance.

• Abstract:

  The peach tree is a crop that depends on cross-pollination, with the bee T. spinipes being one of the pollinators. While considered a pest in some crops, such as passion fruit, mango, coconut, cashew and guava, this species plays a crucial role as a pollinator in others, such as apple trees, acerola, pumpkin, some citrus cultivars and the peach tree itself. Given the importance and presence of this bee in peach trees, this research was carried out at the EPAMIG Experimental Station, in Maria da Fé, MG, from May 2016 to February 2018, with the aim of investigating population fluctuation and the influence of climatic factors occurrence of this insect. Collections were carried out fortnightly using "Pet" traps containing a Bio Anastrepha® hydrolyzed protein solution and Pantrap traps. During 21 months, a total of 6,721 insects were collected. In 2016, the highest occurrence was recorded in September, with an average population peak of 127.0 insects, coinciding with peach blossom. In 2017, there was a population increase, with peaks of 168.0 and 143.0 insects in July and November, respectively. There was a reduction in the number of insects collected during the months of intense rain, coinciding with the end of flowering of the crop and the beginning of fruit formation. Graphic data revealed that temperature and precipitation exerted influence on bee occurrence, presenting a negative correlation with population density of T. spinipes. High rainfall reduced the population peaks from September 2016 to April 2017, and this trend was also confirmed in 2017/2018.