Comparison of orchid bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) species composition collected with four chemical attractants

Authors

  • Kenneth W McCravy Department of Biological Sciences, Western Illinois University, 1 University Circle, Macomb, Illinois 61455, USA Operation Wallacea, Hope House, Old Bolingbroke, Spilsby, Lincolnshire, PE23 4EX, UK
  • Joseph Van Dyke Operation Wallacea, Hope House, Old Bolingbroke, Spilsby, Lincolnshire, PE23 4EX, UK Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, USA
  • Thomas J Creedy 2Operation Wallacea, Hope House, Old Bolingbroke, Spilsby, Lincolnshire, PE23 4EX, UK Hope Entomological Collections, Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PW, UK Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2AZ, UK Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, UK
  • Katie Williams Operation Wallacea, Hope House, Old Bolingbroke, Spilsby, Lincolnshire, PE23 4EX, UK

Keywords:

chemical ecology, Mesoamerican euglossines, benzyl acetate, eucalyptol, cineole, pollinator biodiversity, eugenol, methyl salicylate

Abstract

Abstract

Orchid bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Euglossini) are a diverse and important group of Neotropical pollinators. Numerous chemicals have been used in sampling orchid bees, and species-specific attraction, particularly of males, to these chemicals is well known. However, there have been few studies that have quantified differences in the species composition of orchid bees attracted to particular chemicals. In this study, we compared the abundance and species composition of orchid bees collected with 4 commonly used attractants: benzyl acetate, eucalyptol (or cineole), eugenol, and methyl salicylate. Eucalyptol collected the greatest abundance and species richness of orchid bees. Indicator species analysis revealed that 3 species, Euglossa imperialis Cockerell, Euglossa obtusa Dressler, and Eufriesea mexicana (Mocsáry), were significantly associated with eucalyptol, and 1, Eulaema marcii Nemésio, with benzyl acetate. The multi-response permutation procedure revealed relatively large differences in species composition of orchid bees collected with eucalyptol vs. benzyl acetate and eucalyptol vs. eugenol. Our results showed that eucalyptol and benzyl acetate were the most effective and complimentary attractants, but even less effective attractants such as eugenol may attract novel species.

 

Resumen

Las abejas de orquídeas (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Euglossini) son un grupo diverso e importante de polinizadores neotropicales. Numerosas sustancias químicas se han utilizado en el muestreo de las abejas de orquídeas, y la atracción específica de la especie, particularmente de los machos, a estos productos químicos es bien conocida. Sin embargo, ha habido pocos estudios que han cuantificado las diferencias en la composición de especies de abejas de orquídeas atraídas por cada químico en particular. En este estudio, comparamos la abundancia y composición de especies de abejas de orquídeas recolectados con 4 atrayentes comúnmente utilizados: acetato de bencilo, eucaliptol (o cineol), eugenol y salicilato de metilo. El eucalyptol recolectó la mayor abundancia y riqueza de especies de abejas de orquídeas. El análisis de especies indicadoras reveló que 3 especies, Euglossa imperialis Cockerell, Euglossa obtusa Dressler y Eufriesea mexicana (Mocsáry), se asociaron significativamente con el eucaliptol, y una, Eulaema marcii Nemésio, con el acetato de bencilo. El procedimiento de permutación multi-respuesta reveló diferencias relativamente grandes en la composición de especies de abejas de orquídeas recolectadas con el eucaliptol frente al acetato de bencilo y el eucaliptol vs. eugenol. Nuestros resultados mostraron que el eucaliptol y el acetato de bencilo fueron los atrayentes más eficaces y complementarios, pero incluso atractores menos efectivos como el eugenol pueden atraer otras especies.

 

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Published

2017-10-10

Issue

Vol. 100, No. 3 (September 2017)

Section

Research Papers

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