Orchid Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Euglossini) in Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest (Caatinga) in Brazil

Abstract

Euglossini bees are important Neotropical pollinators, but there is a lack in the knowledge about this fauna in dry tropical environments. The aims of this study were to evaluate the richness and abundance of euglossine bees in two fragments of seasonally dry tropical forest (Caatinga), as well as to assess the distribution of euglossine species richness in the Caatinga environment. Males were collected along 12 consecutive months, using traps with aromatic baits. The species richness (S=5) was lower than in rainforests and savannas. Euglossa cordata (L.) was the dominant species in the assemblage, representing 70% of the individuals. The highest abundance occurred in the rainy season. Euglossini fauna presents low local species richness in Caatinga areas, however the beta diversity is higher, since assemblages in different habitats have differences in species composition.