Males of the orchid bee Eulaema cingulata (Hymenoptera: Apidae) as important vectors of the cleptoparasitic beetle Meloetyphlus fuscatus (Coleoptera: Meloidae)

Author(s)

da Rocha-Filho, Leo Correia ^[1] ; Garofalo, Carlos Alberto ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] York Univ, Dept Biol, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3 - Canada

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, FFCLRP, Dept Biol, BR-14040901 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Apidologie; v. 46, n. 3, p. 286-291, MAY 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Meloid beetles are known by their hypermetamorphic life cycle with active first instar larvae called triungulins found in most species. Most of the larvae in this family feed on provisions and immature stages of bees. The monotypic genus Meloetyphlus is associated with the nests of some orchid bee species, and some of its morphological characteristics suggest the adults live only in the host nest. In an orchid bee survey carried out in Ubatuba, So Paulo State, Brazil, 1575 specimens of 23 species of euglossine bees were collected. Of this total, 170 (10.8 %) specimens of six species, mostly males, had triungulin larvae of Meloetyphlus fuscatus attached to their bodies. The highest percentage of infestation was found in Eulaema cingulata, with 79.8 % of males carrying beetle larvae. The implications of these data are discussed, and the association of M. fuscatus with four species of orchid bees (Eufriesea dentilabris, Eulaema helvola, Eulaema seabrai and Exaerete smaragdina) is reported for the first time. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 04/15801-0 - Biodiversity and sustainable use of pollinators, with emphasis on Meliponini bees
• Grantee: Vera Lucia Imperatriz-Fonseca
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants