Issue |
Apidologie
Volume 21, Number 2, 1990
|
|
---|---|---|
Page(s) | 99 - 105 | |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/apido:19900202 |
DOI: 10.1051/apido:19900202
Bacteria belonging to the genus Bacillus associated with three species of solitary bees
M. Gilliama, S.L. Buchmanna, B.J. Lorenza and R.J. Schmalzelba US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, 2000 East Allen Road, Tucson, Arizona 85719 USA
b Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, APDO 2072, Balboa, Panamá
Abstract - Brood provisions from Centris flavofasciata and Xylocopa californica arizonensis, larval feces and pollen collected by X c arizonensis, and the alimentary canal of adult female Crawfordapis luctuosa were examined for micro-organisms, particularly spore-forming bacteria belonging to the genus Bacillus. Bacillus species were associated with some samples from all 3 bees. Brood provisions of C flavofasciata contained B licheniformis. Bacillus cereus, B subtilis, and an unidentified Bacillus similar to B sphaericus were isolated from the gut of Crawfordapis. Pollen collected by X c arizonensis contained B circulans, B pumilus, and B subtilis. The latter species was also associated with provisions of a young carpenter bee larva. These results and our previous findings on microflora of Anthophora sp, Apis mellifera, Centris pallida, Melipona fasciata, and a necrophage of the genus Trigona demonstrate that Bacillus species are common associates of Apoidea and could participate both in metabolic conversion of food and in the control of competing and/or spoilage microorganisms.
Key words: Apoidea / micro-organism / Bacillus