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Introducing nests of the oil-collecting bee Centris analis (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Centridini) for pollination of acerola (Malpighia emarginata) increases yield

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Abstract

This study aimed to test the feasibility and effectiveness of introducing trap nests inhabited by the oil-collecting bee Centris (Heterocentris) analis on increasing productivity of organic orchards of acerola (Malpighia emarginata). Trap nest blocks containing 242 nests of C. analis were placed on the border of 22 orchards of four acerola varieties and monitored over the blooming season. Results were compared to other 22 orchards without bee introduction and showed an increment of 62 % in the number of trap nests inhabited by C. analis and acerola yield was significantly higher in the orchards where bees were introduced, independently of variety. The increase in productivity was 1,798 kg/ha. It was concluded that the introduction of inhabited nests of C. analis to acerola orchards allows multiplying populations of C. analis; to increase the number of bees and to reduce pollination deficits in acerola orchards; and can provide real gains in productivity of acerola commercial plantations.

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Acknowledgments

Authors thank Dr. Fernando Zanella for identification of the Centridini bees; Amway Nutrilite do Brasil for permission to carry out this study in its farm; two anonymous referees for their substantial contribution to this paper and National Council for Scientific and Technological Development-CNPq, Brasília-Brazil for the M.Sc. scholarship to C. B. Magalhães and the research fellowship to B.M. Freitas (proc. #302934/2010-3).

Augmentation de la récolte de fruits dans les vergers d’acerola ( Malpighia emarginata ) grâce à l’introduction de nids artificiels pour l’abeille récolteuse d’huile, Centris analis (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Centridini)

Élevage d’abeilles / pollinisation des cultures / déficit en pollinisation / abeilles solitaires/ nid-piège

Die Einführung von nestern der ölsammelnden Biene Centris analis (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Centridini) zur Bestäubung erhöht den Ertrag von Acerola-Kirschen ( Malpighia emarginata )

Bienenaufzucht / Bestäubung / Bestäubungsdefizit / Sölitärbienen / Nisthilfen

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Federal do Ceará-UFC, CCA, Campus Universitário do Pici, Bloco 808, 60356-000, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil

    Celso B. Magalhães & Breno M. Freitas

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  1. Celso B. Magalhães
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  2. Breno M. Freitas
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Correspondence to Breno M. Freitas.

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Manuscript editor: Stan Schneider

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Magalhães, C.B., Freitas, B.M. Introducing nests of the oil-collecting bee Centris analis (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Centridini) for pollination of acerola (Malpighia emarginata) increases yield. Apidologie 44, 234–239 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-012-0175-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-012-0175-4

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