Apidologie 24 (1993) 73-79
DOI: 10.1051/apido:19930109

Determination of minimum quantity of pollen and nutritive value of different carbohydrates forscaptotrigona depilis Moure (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

P.G. Fernandes-da-Silva^a, G. Muccillo^b and F.S. Zucoloto<sup>a

a</sup>  Biology Department, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Arts of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av dos Bandeirantes 3900 CEP 14040-901, Ribeirão Preto SP, Brazil
^b  Department of Geology, Physics and Mathematics, Faculty of Philososphy, Sciences and Arts of Ribeirao Preto, University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil

Abstract - Two experiments were performed to determine some aspects of nutrition in Scaptotrigona depilis. This minimum quantity of pollen necessary for suitable development of hypopharyngeal gland and oocytes was determined to be ≈ 8.0 mg/bee/d. With respect to carbohydrates, no differences in longevity were found between groups fed sucrose (w/v) at 10, 30 or 50%. With different carbohydrates (glucose, fructose, sucrose and maltose) no differences were detected between groups fed all carbohydrates at 1 %; groups fed sucrose, maltose and glucose were similar to groups fed sucrose; the sucrose group was similar to the maltose and glucose groups; the maltose and glucose groups were similar. For all carbohydrates, 10% concentration showed superior results to 1% concentration.

Key words: Scaptotrigona depilis / pollen / carbohydrate / nutrition / Meliponinae