1991 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary
Utilization of the Brazilian stingless bee, Nannotrigona testaceicornis as pollinator of strawberries in greenhouse
| Project/Area Number |
01860006
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Developmental Scientific Research
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Research Field |
植物保護
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| Research Institution | Faculty of Agriculture, Shimane University |
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Principal Investigator |
MAETA Yasuo Faculty of Agriculture, Shimane University, Professor, 農学部, 教授 (20144694)
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
HOSHIDA Hidehiro Attached Highschool of Daitobunka University, Teacher, 教論
MIYAKABO Masakazu Takarazuka Research Institute, Shumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd., Reserach Chemist, 主任研究官
SHIBATA Hitoshi Faculty of Agriculture, Shimane University, Professor, 農学部, 教授 (40032601)
INOUE Tamiji Ecological Research Center, Kyoto University, Professor, 生態学研究センター, 教授 (90109041)
SAKAMAKI Schoichi F. Hokkaido University, Professor Emeritus, 名誉教授 (10000754)
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| Project Period (FY) |
1989 – 1991
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| Keywords | Sting less bee / Pollinator / Management / Preference of flower resources / Polyethism / Pantropic / Foraging / Artificial feeding |
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| Research Abstract |
Through the management of seven species of stingless bees, the Brazilian sepcifies, Nannotrigona testaceicor-nis was chosen as the most promising pollinator. Important biological features were studied so as to use this species as pollinator of strawberries in greenhouse. The results were as follows.
1) Colonies could be artificially divided through whole seasons, except for winter. A colony composing of one queen and her 50 workers was regarded as the minimum size of colony which can be developed into the full size with 2, 000 -3, 000 workers. Such full size colony was attained within 2-3 months after the division.
2) Oligoleety was maintained at individual level, but polylecty at colony level. Selection of the resource plants was determined by the two different tactics, i. e., majoring and minoring. Pollen foragers cheeked the size of pollen grains with their glossay at decision of the flower resources. Honey foragers showed clear preference of sugar concentration and mostly visited the
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diluted honey solation with 70 % sugar concentration. The time spent for nectar foraging was determined so as to optimize the efficiency of the nectar foraging.
3) The rate of contact with stigmas of strawberries was very high in pollen fogliers, but lesser in nectar foragers. Well-formed fruits were preduced by the vist of the pollen foragers more than 4 times.
4) The longevity of workers was 2-64 days (average, 33.6<plus-minus>11.6 days). Tasks in and out of nest were allocated among workers and their kinds had been changed as they aged. The places where they participated in tasks were removed from the central to the outer parts of nest. The rate of workers who survived until the foraging period was less than 40
5) At the period of flower dearth, honey feeder was well visited by foragers, but pollen feeder not so. Colonies were maintained normally during winter period by direct supply of honey and pollens obtained from honeybee's nest. However, some useful artificial diets should be necessary in order to compensate costly and unobtainable natural pollens. Less
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Research Products
(6 results)
