Pollen Sources for Apis mellifera in Pindamonhangaba County, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil

摘要

Pollen samples collected by Africanized honey bees (Apis mellifera) from 2004, October/November and 2005, April/October, were intercepted from six bee hives, to identify plants that could be used as pollen sources for the bees. The samples were prepared by the acetolysis method and compared to reference slides and melissopalynologycal catalogues. The dominant pollen types (Eucalyptus sp., Arecaceae type, Myrcia type, Anadenanthera sp. and Philodendron sp.) were consistent during both years of the study, while Cecropia sp. andMiconia ligustroides were only observed in 2004 and Zinnia elegans only in 2005. The results confirm the importance of Eucalyptus sp.; Myrcia type (including Myrcia spp., Myrciaria spp., Eugenia spp., Psidium spp.); Anadenanthera sp.; Philodendron sp. and Arecaceae family plants as pollen sources for honeybees in this region. Additionally, it was observed that plants as M. ligustroides, Z. elegans, Raphanus spp., Trema spp. and Poaceae plants can become pollen suppliers, if they are present in large numbers in this area.