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Pollen carriers of Cocos nucifera L. (Palmae) in Costa Rica and Ecuador (Neotropical region)

2016; Vicerractoría Investigación; Volume: 34; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

2215-2075

Ingemar Hedström,

Cocoa and Sweet Potato Agronomy

Potential pollinating insects of the coconut palm, Cocos nucifera L. (Palmae), were identified in Cahuita National Park, Barbilla Biological Reserve, Pacuarito de Siquirres, Guacimo and Bribri, Province of Limon, and in Turrucares and La Garita, Province of A lajuela, Costa Rica. Observations were also conducted in Guayaquil and Cerecita, Province of Guayas, Ecuador. The most common pollen carrier in Costa Rica was Trigona silvestriana Vachal, followed by T. testacea Klug, T. fulviventris Guerin, T. frontalis Friese, T. tataira Smith, T. corvina Cockerell, Melipona fasciata Latreille, all stingless meliponid bees, and the honeybee Apis mellifera L. In Ecuador, A. mellifera was observed visiting both staminate and pistillate flowers of C. nucifera. Observations on interference competition between some of the species of Trigona from Costa Rica are also presented.