RESUMO
In Minas Gerais, green propolis is produced from the collection of resinous substance found in shoot apices of Baccharis dracunculifolia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological parameters associated with the interaction Apis mellifera x Baccharis dracunculifolia, to elucidate the supply of resin for green propolis production in Minas Gerais. We selected male and female individuals of two populations of Baccharis dracunculifolia located on São Judas Tadeu Farm - FSJT, in the municipality of Betim, MG and the Experimental Garden of the Ezequiel Dias Foundation - HORTO, located in an urban area in Belo Horizonte, MG. We made weekly observations, from June 2007 to June 2008, and evaluated in both populations: richness and abundance of insect visitors; resin collecting visits of Apis mellifera; presence of Baccharopelma dracunculifoliae galls; growth of individuals and phenological phases. Statistical analyses were made using R software. The rainy season showed the highest number of visitors. A. mellifera collected resin in shoot apices of Baccharis dracunculifolia from August to April, only in the FSJT population, where galls of B. dracunculifoliae were also present. Ovoposition of gall inductor on host plants occurs during the rainy season, when there is a peak of visitants and resin collecting visits of honeybees. This fact stimulates plant defense strategies against parasitoids and predators, which includes the production of several secondary metabolites, and ultimately reduces competition for food by inhibiting the attack of other phytophagous insects, not adapted to the chemical environment of plant tissues. Green propolis production in Minas Gerais is related to the abundant supply of resin by Baccharis dracunculifolia, when they are parasitised by B. dracunculifoliae galls. They induce plant production of defense exudates, which attract Apis mellifera bees to collect resin and consequently favour the production of green propolis.
Assuntos
Baccharis/fisiologia , Abelhas/fisiologia , Comportamento Animal/fisiologia , Própole/química , Animais , Baccharis/classificação , Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Pressão , Feminino , Masculino , Estações do AnoRESUMO
In Minas Gerais, green propolis is produced from the collection of resinous substance found in shoot apices of Baccharis dracunculifolia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological parameters associated with the interaction Apis mellifera x Baccharis dracunculifolia, to elucidate the supply of resin for green propolis production in Minas Gerais. We selected male and female individuals of two populations of Baccharis dracunculifolia located on São Judas Tadeu Farm - FSJT, in the municipality of Betim, MG and the Experimental Garden of the Ezequiel Dias Foundation - HORTO, located in an urban area in Belo Horizonte, MG. We made weekly observations, from June 2007 to June 2008, and evaluated in both populations: richness and abundance of insect visitors; resin collecting visits of Apis mellifera; presence of Baccharopelma dracunculifoliae galls; growth of individuals and phenological phases. Statistical analyses were made using R software. The rainy season showed the highest number of visitors. A. mellifera collected resin in shoot apices of Baccharis dracunculifolia from August to April, only in the FSJT population, where galls of B. dracunculifoliae were also present. Ovoposition of gall inductor on host plants occurs during the rainy season, when there is a peak of visitants and resin collecting visits of honeybees. This fact stimulates plant defense strategies against parasitoids and predators, which includes the production of several secondary metabolites, and ultimately reduces competition for food by inhibiting the attack of other phytophagous insects, not adapted to the chemical environment of plant tissues. Green propolis production in Minas Gerais is related to the abundant supply of resin by Baccharis dracunculifolia, when they are parasitised by B. dracunculifoliae galls. They induce plant production of defense exudates, which attract Apis mellifera bees to collect resin and consequently favour the production of green propolis.(AU)
A própolis verde é produzida pelas abelhas Apis mellifera no estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil, a partir da coleta de substância resinosa dos ápices vegetativos de Baccharis dracunculifolia. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os parâmetros biológicos associados à interação Apis mellifera x Baccharis dracunculifolia, visando elucidar o fornecimento de resina da espécie para a produção de própolis verde em Minas Gerais. Foram selecionados indivíduos masculinos e femininos em duas populações de Baccharis dracunculifolia localizadas na Fazenda São Judas Tadeu FSJT, município de Betim, MG, e no Horto Experimental da Fundação Ezequiel Dias HORTO, em área urbana no município de Belo Horizonte, MG. Foram observados semanalmente, entre junho de 2007 e junho de 2008, a riqueza e abundância de insetos visitantes; visitação de Apis mellifera para coleta de resina; presença de galhas de Baccharopelma dracunculifoliae; crescimento dos indivíduos de Baccharis dracunculifolia e fenofases. Para análise estatística utilizou-se o software R. Em ambas as populações, a estação chuvosa foi a que apresentou maior número de visitantes. As abelhas Apis mellifera, coletaram resina nos ápices vegetativos de Baccharis dracunculifolia entre agosto e abril, e somente na população FSJT, onde ocorreram galhas de B. dracunculifoliae. Neste período a planta é ovopositada pelo indutor da galha que estimula a produção de diversos metabólitos secundários, como proteção ao ataque de parasitoides e predadores, e reduz a competição por alimento ao inibir o ataque de outros insetos fitófagos. A produção de própolis verde em Minas Gerais está relacionada à oferta abundante de resina pela planta Baccharis dracunculifolia, parasitadas por essas galhas. A atração das abelhas Apis mellifera para coleta de resina e produção de própolis verde se dá pela produção de exsudatos de defesa pela planta induzida pela presença da galha.(AU)