Abstract

AGUIAR, Antonio José Camillo  and  MARTINS, Celso Feitosa. Trap-nesting solitary bees and wasps (Hymenoptera) in Guaribas Biological Reserve (Mamanguape, Paraíba, Brasil). Rev. Bras. Zool. [online]. 2002, vol.19, suppl.1, pp. 101-116. ISSN 0101-8175.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0101-81752002000500005.

The trap-nesting bees of Guaribas Biological Reserve were studied during one year. Three areas with different vegetation types were sampled, open savanas, closed forest, and a mosaic of these two types. Twelve species of trap-nesting bees were observed, four of which are parasites. The most abundant species were Centris tarsata (Smith, 1879), C. analis (Fabricius, 1804), Tetrapedia diversipes KJug, 1810, and Mesocheira bicolor (Fabricius, 1804). Nesting of Centris tarsata and Mesocheira bicolor occurred mainly during the dry season, while Centris analis and Tetrapedia diversipes did not show any seasonal preferences. Mesocheira bicolar occurred only in the nests of C. tarsata, parasitizing more than 50% of the nests and representing 23.2% of the individuais emerged in the host nests. The mosaic area yielded a greater abundance and diversity. Comparing the sampling methods of trap-nests and entomological nets, conducted simultaneously in the same area, in relation to diversity of trap nesting bees, it was observed a great similarity in terrns of composition and differences of abundance in species sampled. Some hypothesis are discussed to explain a reason for the greater diversity and abundance of the mosaic area in relation to the other areas.

Keywords : Apoidea; Apiformes; bees; Tabuleiro; trap-nests.