Nectar production of Merremia aegyptia and behavior of Apis mellifera spp. during foraging

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate whether the different time of collection of nectar in hive areas influence the volume, the concentration of sugar and total amount of sugar produced by all its flowers at the time of anthesis, as well as evaluating possible changes in the characteristics of nectar along the time and discuss the beekeeping potential of areas containing “jitirana-branca” (Merremia aegyptia). It was also evaluated the relationship between the generation of floral attractive and the behavior of potential pollinators, including Apis mellifera L. (Africanized honeybee). The study was conducted in a preservation area of Caatinga, at the campus of FATEC, Quixeramobim, CE, Brazil. It was found that: the mean floral density of M. aegyptia was 33.7 flowers/m2; the volume of nectar was affected by the time of collection and no more nectar is secreted by the flowers after 11:00 AM. Keywords: Sugars, Caatinga, Merremia aegyptia, Africanized honeybee.