Pollen Resources Used by Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides Lepeletier in an Urban Forest in Rio de Janeiro City, Brazil

Pollen loads collected by Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides were examined in order to detect the botanical origin of pollen and to recognise the pollination action of these bees in an urban Atlantic secondary forest. Pollen analysis followed standard methodology and without the use of acetolysis. The results revealed a great contribution of monofloral (more than 90% of a single pollen type or more than 60% if no accessory pollen was present). Quantitatively, Myrtaceae pollen samples followed Melastomataceae ones. Bifloral or heterofloral samples combine several pollen types. Besides Myrcia and Eucalyptus, the most frequent pollen types were Solanum, Mimosa caesalpiniifolia and Alchornea. The current study was related to the apiaries' surrounding vegetation and reflected both the resources available and the preference for native plant species by the bees. Furthermore, these results are relevant to the management of primary and secondary forests in order to preserve the environments.