Pollination biology of Euterpe edulis Martius (Arecaceae) and association with social bees (Apidae: Apini) in an agroforestry system on Santa Catarina Island.

• Autor(a) principal: Dorneles, Livia Leal
• Data de Publicação: 2013
• Outros Autores: Zillikens, Anne, Steiner, Josefina, Padilha, Marília Terezinha Sangoi
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Iheringia. Série Botânica
• Texto Completo: https://isb.emnuvens.com.br/iheringia/article/view/38
• topic: palmiteiro; fl oral biology; bees; Meliponina; Plebeia.; palmiteiro; biologia fl oral; abelhas; Meliponina; Plebeia.

Thirty individuals of Euterpe edulis Mart. (Arecaceae) were observed in an agroforestry system on Santa Catarina Island to determine phenology, fl oral morphology, reproductive system, nectar production, visits by social bees (Apidae: Apini) and fructifi cation during two fl owering periods from November 2008 to March 2010. Flowering period lasted from September to March, with means of 4.2 infl orescences per palm, starting with the male phase and ending with the female phase. Male fl owers produced nectar in the morning and female during the whole day. Visiting bees were Apis mellifera, Plebeia droryana, P. remota, P. emerina and other Meliponina in fl owers of both sexes and two species of Bombus in male flowers. Fruit maturation occurred from July to September. Palms formed 2.3  nfructescences per palm with a mean of 2100 fruits. Insect pollination was necessary for fruit formation. The species produced more fruits after cross-pollination but self-pollination was also accepted. Stingless bees of the genus Plebeia were considered potential pollinators. The possibility to handle their populations might increase fruit formation through the increase in pollinator abundance.