A criação da abelha jandaíra (Melipona subnitida) no Semi-árido Paraibano: alimentação artificial e problemas na manutenção das colmeias.

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of artificial feeding during the drought period on the growth of Jandaira bee (Melipona subnitida) hives, as well as identified the biotic (natural enemies) and abiotic agents interfering with its survivalship. Forty beehives (20 weak, averaging 3,281kg, and 20 strong, averaging 4,605kg) were selected for the study of artificial feeding. Each hive was generated by division of families using the “two combs” method. Forty ml of syrup made of Capim santo (Cymbopogon citrates) aromatic herb tea and Apis mellifera adonsonii honey (in a 1:1 ratio, v:v) was offered to the bees once each week by means of 40ml tube feeders placed inside the production section of each hive. The feeders remained in the hives during three days in each one of the 17 weekly events of artificial feeding. Data were collected every week, and every three months the hives were weighed, opened and inspected to visualize honey and “batume” production, stored pollen quantity, population and litter size, presence of natural enemies, etc. It was observed that artificial feeding may influence the development of hives mainly the weak ones, according to a Tukey test (P<5%).