scholarly journals Pesticides and reduced-risk insecticides, native bees and pantropical stingless bees: pitfalls and perspectives

2015 ◽  
Vol 71 (8) ◽  
pp. 1049-1053 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wagner F Barbosa ◽  
Guy Smagghe ◽  
Raul Narciso C Guedes
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Ryan-Rendall ◽  
Brenna Quinlan

When Olivia and Hamish see a smoky haze coming from their local park, they're ready to spring into action! But it's not a fire – it's a nest of Australian stingless bees that needs their help. Join Olivia and Hamish as they learn about the bees in our backyards. From Blue-banded and Teddy Bear to Carpenter and Leaf-cutter bees, our two budding Bee Detectives discover how our native bees live, what they like to eat and the important work they do to pollinate plants. Explore the wonders of Australia's native bees – and be inspired to become a Bee Detective, too. It's a real buzz!


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thaliny Bonamigo ◽  
Jaqueline Ferreira Campos ◽  
Tamaeh Monteiro Alfredo ◽  
José Benedito Perrella Balestieri ◽  
Claudia Andrea Lima Cardoso ◽  
...  

Propolis is a natural mixture of compounds produced by various bee species, including stingless bees. This compound has been shown to exhibit antioxidant, antiproliferative, and antitumor activities. The present study aimed to determine the chemical constituents as well as the antioxidant, cytotoxic, and toxic activities of ethanol extracts of propolis obtained from the stingless beesScaptotrigona depilisandMelipona quadrifasciata anthidioides, which are found in Brazil. Phytosterols, terpenes, phenolic compounds, and tocopherol were identified in the ethanol extracts of propolis (EEPs) in different concentrations. The compounds stigmasterol, taraxasterol, vanilic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin, luteolin, and apigenin were found only in EEP-M. The EEPs were able to scavenge the free radicals 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and protected human erythrocytes against lipid peroxidation, with the latter effect being demonstrated by their antihemolytic activity and inhibition of malondialdehyde formation. The EEPs showed cytotoxic activity against erythroleukemic cells and necrosis was the main mechanism of death observed. In addition, the concentrations at which the EEPs were cytotoxic were not toxic againstCaenorhabditis elegans. In this context, it is concluded that EEP-S and EEP-M show antioxidant and cytotoxic activities and are promising bioactive mixtures for the control of diseases associated with oxidative stress and tumor cell proliferation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-225
Author(s):  
Leonardo Ernesto Ulises Contreras Cortés ◽  
Amparo Vázquez García ◽  
Elda Miriam Aldasoro Maya ◽  
Jorge Mérida Rivas

The Lacandon Maya were settled in the Lacandon forest since the 17th century; their experience and knowledge allow them to know and manage different natural elements, like the Native Stingless Bees (nsb). The present research registered the species of nsb and the differentiated knowledge about them in Nahá, Chiapas. From 2015 to 2018, through work with key collaborators and entomological collections, the species of NSB identified by the local population of the Flora and Fauna Protection Area of Nahá (ffpan) were determined. Later a questionnaire was applied to 68 heads of family, all males, to estimate the level of knowledge they have and the uses they give to the native stingless bees, according to age ranges. A total of 15 species of native bees were registered, of which honey is obtained mainly from four: Tetragonisca angustula (Ajyus), Scaura argyrea (K’amas kap’), Plebeia frontalis (Ak chip kap) y Melipona solani (Jach K’ojo’). We registered a differentiated knowledge of the heads of family in Nahá about the 15 species of nsb based on their behavior, morphology and the places where they live. The general tendency is the loss of knowledge, and it is accentuated among the young people. The causes are related to the weakening of the transmission’s mechanisms of knowledge, the decrease of the recollection activities and the absence of management of colonies in their homegardens, as well as the arrival of products that substitute honey and wax, offered at lower prices.


Sociobiology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 777 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adna Dorigo ◽  
Annelise Rosa-Fontana ◽  
Isabella Camargo ◽  
Roberta Nocelli ◽  
Osmar Malaspina

Due to the current practice of intensive pesticide use in Brazil on crops with flowers that are attractive to bees, biological information about Brazilian native bees is required in order for public authorities that are responsible for environmental safety to use them for calculations of risk assessments. Thus, the present study aimed to obtain biological data on stingless bees: Melipona scutellaris, Scaptotrigiona postica and Tetragonisca angustula. The food consumed by larvae and by adults and the mass of forager workers were obtained. The results provide essential inputs for the risk assessment of stingless bee exposure to pesticides., combined with information about the concentrations of these substances in crops with flowers that are attractive to bees, may be used in risk calculations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Roberto da Costa Macedo ◽  
Italo de Souza Aquino ◽  
Péricles de Farias Borges ◽  
Alex da Silva Barbosa ◽  
Geovergue Rodrigues de Medeiros

Abstract Native bees, besides excellent producers of honey, lend a great legacy to humanity through their ability to pollinate plants and the consequent preservation of ecosystems. In this interspecific relation, bees are benefited by plant species by the provision of food (nectar and pollen), besides using their branches and trunks for lodging. However, the anthropogenic action has jeopardized the survival of stingless bees, causing irreversible environmental damage in the preservation of natural resources. This study aimed to identify the nesting habits of native bees under natural conditions. Random trails in the Curimataú micro-region of Paraíba allowed identifying nesting sites of indigenous species in their natural habitat. Sixty honeycomb nests were identified in 12 different plant species, being Commiphora leptophloeos the most preferred host (46.66%), with 55% of the entrance holes pointed to magnetic orientations between the Northeast and Northwest; a greater choice by host trees (85%); preference for nesting in host plants with a circumference of 0.98 m in diameter, entrance hole of nests of 7.77 mm in diameter, and height from the ground of 1.52 m. The obtained data showed little variety of stingless bee species in the Curimataú region of Paraíba, especially Melipona subnitida. The species Melipona asilvae, Melipona scutellaris, Partamona seridoenses, and Plebeia sp. should receive special attention not to become extinct in this region.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-288
Author(s):  
Juliana Do Nascimento Bendini ◽  
Michelli Ferreira Dos Santos ◽  
Maria Carolina De Abreu ◽  
Gardner Andrade Arrais ◽  
Maria Mayara Vieira ◽  
...  

Considerando a educação ambiental como instrumento de transformação e uma prioridade entre as ações rumo ao desenvolvimento sustentável, o projeto de extensão universitária “Meliponário didático: uma estratégia para a conservação das abelhas sem ferrão no semiárido piauiense” visa a sensibilização de crianças e jovens, estudantes da educação básica do município de Picos e região, quanto à importância e conservação das abelhas nativas do semiárido piauiense. O presente artigo tem como objetivo relatar as ações e impactos do referido projeto desenvolvido na Universidade Federal do Piauí, em Picos. Para isso, descreveu-se o projeto a partir da consolidação do espaço de aprendizagem, desde a formação dos acadêmicos e monitores até a realização das visitas.  Os visitantes primeiramente assistem à uma aula, ministrada pelos próprios acadêmicos, sobre as abelhas e seguem para o Meliponário onde observam as abelhas em atividade. Durante as visitas a observação de algumas expressões espontaneamente pronunciadas pelos alunos, nos auxiliam a avaliar os impactos positivos do projeto para a conservação das abelhas nativas, como: “Professora, as abelhas são os cupidos da natureza!” De abril de 2018 a novembro de 2019 foram recebidos 560 visitantes da rede pública de ensino de Picos, de IES e de outros municípios. Considera-se que as ações educativas promovidas no Meliponário Didático da UFPI configuram estratégias eficazes e necessárias para a constituição de uma relação sustentável com as abelhas. Palavras-chave: Caatinga; Educação Ambiental; Meliponicultura; Biodiversidade   Didactic meliponary: University extension as a strategy for the conservation of stingless bees in the Piauí semiarid Abstract: Considering Environmental Education as an instrument of transformation and a priority among actions towards sustainable development, the university extension project "Didactic meliponary: a strategy for conservation of stingless bees in the semi-arid region of Piauí" aims to raise the awareness of children and young people, students of primary education in the municipality of Picos and region, regarding the importance and conservation of native bees in the semi-arid region of Piauí. This paper aimed to report the actions and impacts of the referred project developed at the Federal University of Piauí, in Picos, Piauí State, Brazil. The consolidation of the learning space and the training of the monitors to conduct the visits were described. Visitors first attend a class taught by the academics about bees and proceed to the meliponary ("Meliponário") to observe the active bees and their social structure. During the visits, expressions spontaneously pronounced by the students are noted, which helps us to assess the positive impacts of the project for the conservation of native bees. One of the expressions was: "Teacher, bees are nature's cupids!" From April 2018 to November 2019, 560 visitors from public schools in Picos, IES, and other municipalities were received. It is considered that the educational actions promoted at UFPI's Didactic Meliponary are an effective and necessary strategy for the constitution of a sustainable relationship with bees. Keywords: Caatinga; Environmental Education; Meliponiculture; Biodiversity


Author(s):  
Carlos Vinício Prescinato de Oliveira ◽  
Adriana Aparecida Sinópolis Gigliolli ◽  
Douglas Galhardo ◽  
Daiani Rodrigues Moreira ◽  
Ludmilla Ronqui ◽  
...  

Stingless bees Tetragonisca angustula (Latreille) (Hymenoptera: Meliponinae) are pollinators of native and cultivated plants, are therefore in contact with areas contaminated by pesticides. These native bees were evaluated for changes in gene expression of esterase isoenzymes and peptides after contamination by contact with insecticides growth regulators Gallaxy ® EC 100, Natuneem and Azamax after 48, 120, 168 hours, 30 and 60 days. EST-4 presented an increase in relative activity after contamination with Gallaxy ® 100 EC at 6.2 × 10-2 g a.i/mL, Natuneem at 7.5 × 10-5 g a.i/mL and Azamax at 1.2 × 10-3 g a.i/mL after 60 days, 48 h and 60 days, respectively. Inhibition of the relative activity of EST-4 was detected after contamination by the Natuneem at 1.5 × 10-5 g a.i/mLand Azamax at 1.2 × 10-3 g a.i/mL after 48 h and 30 days respectively. The insecticides growth regulators promoted changes in protein synthesis of adult workers of T. angustula resulting in an increase or decrease in the relative intensity of bands, and the appearance of new peptides compared with controls. Changes in protein synthesis have been identified mainly after long period of contamination, 120 and 168 h with the IGRs Gallaxy ® EC 100 (at 0.78 and 1.25 g a.i/mL), Azamax (at 1.2 × 10-3 and 6 × 10-3 g a.i/mL) and Natuneem (at 7.5 × 10-5 and 3 × 10-3 g a.i/mL) and 60 days with Natuneem (at 1.5 × 10-5 g a.i/mL).


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 164-194
Author(s):  
Jaqueline Reginato Koser ◽  
Celso Barbiéri ◽  
Tiago Maurício Francoy

The American stingless bees species have been used in management and breeding practices by local civilizations since the pre-Columbian era. Currently, many of these species are managed commercially and maintained in meliponaries. However, divergences exist among authors about the ecological utility of these practices. Some argue that meliponaries could serve to maintain local biodiversity while others argue that they have the opposite effect. Due to pressure from beekeepers and environmentalists there are efforts to draft specific rules that legislate production and market focusing on conservating native bees. In recent years, these norms have become more specific due to the use of empirical data from the scientific community and demands from social groups and producers. This paper presents a revision on Brazilian legislation as well its applicabilities and proposes alterations in the Environmental Crimes Law.


2006 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 164-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Rabbitt ◽  
Mary Lunn ◽  
Danny Wong

There is new empirical evidence that the effects of impending death on cognition have been miscalculated because of neglect of the incidence of dropout and of practice gains during longitudinal studies. When these are taken into consideration, amounts and rates of cognitive declines preceding death and dropout are seen to be almost identical, and participants aged 49 to 93 years who neither dropout nor die show little or no decline during a 20-year longitudinal study. Practice effects are theoretically informative. Positive gains are greater for young and more intelligent participants and at all levels of intelligence and durations of practice; declines in scores of 10% or more between successive quadrennial test sessions are risk factors for mortality. Higher baseline intelligence test scores are also associated with reduced risk of mortality, even when demographics and socioeconomic advantage have been taken into consideration.


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