Efeitos da alimentação artificial protéica em colônias de uruçu-cinzenta (Melípona fasciculata, Smith 1858) (Apidae, Meliponini) e adaptação em casa-de-vegetaçao

Abstract

The study aimed to develop an artificial food of the protein of soybean extract (artificial fermented pollen), and assess its effect on sex ratio, longevity of workers and development of newly divided colonies of Melipona fasciculata, and verify the adjustment the species in greenhouses. The fermented artificial pollen developed here consists of 50g of soybean extract, 20g of fermented pollen and 60mL inverted sugar syrup (60%). Aniline was used to color the fermented pollen artificial in an attempt to trace and verify the use by workers within the colonies. Five colonies were used, three of which received only the fermented pollen and two received artificial fermented pollen. There was no significant difference between the production of queens and workers in both treatments and in both cases there was no production of males. The workers who were born from boxes fed with artificial fermented pollen had greater longevity and lower birth weight. These boxes also have begun to build cells and earlier oviposition that the boxes fed with fermented pollen, however, their queens had lower daily rate of oviposition. The food based on soybean extract not adversely affect newly divided colonies of M. fasciculata. In the early days, the bees spend most of their time at the top of the greenhouse trying to escape, only after the third day there was a reduction in mortality of workers. There was no significant difference, over five days, between the mortality of workers moved in boxes during the night and during the day, inside the greenhouse. The aniline was an excellent tool to track the food handled and consumed by the colony.