The orchid-bee faunas (Hymenoptera: Apidae) of two Atlantic Forest remnants in southern Bahia, eastern Brazil

As faunas de abelhas-das-orquídeas (Hymenoptera: Apidae) de dois remanescentes de Mata Atlântica do sul da Bahia, leste do Brasil

The orchid-bee faunas of the ‘Parque Nacional do Pau Brasil’ (8,500 ha) and ‘RPPN Estação Veracel’ (6,000 ha), two Atlantic Forest remnants in the southern state of Bahia, northeastern Brazil, were surveyed. Seventeen chemical compounds were used as scent baits to attract orchid-bee males. Seven hundred and twelve males belonging to 20 species were actively collected with insect nets during 80 hours in February and April, 2009. Euglossa marianae Nemésio, 2011, the most sensitive orchid-bee species of the Atlantic Forest, was recorded at both preserves, though in low abundance. ‘RPPN Estação Veracel’ is the smallest forest patch where Euglossa marianae has ever been recorded.

Atlantic Forest; conservation; Euglossina; euglossine bees; Hexapoda