RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARTAMONA (HYM. APIDAE) AND CONSTRICTOTERMES (ISOP., TERMITIDAE) IN THE SEMIARID REGION OF PARAÍBA STATE, BRAZIL

Resumo

Cupiras are stingles bees that build nests in termitaria, inhabited or not termites. The cupiras of the semiarid region of Paraíba belong to the genus Partomona and their associated termites, to Constrictotermes. In normal nests, the termite queens are located at the central part, and araund them commonly there are eggs and nymphs. Whem there are cupiras and termites in the same termitary, the bees are also established in the central part, in a large cavity, rounded by tunnels for communication. It is supposed that this cavity system is  built by the bees themselves, as it in not found in normal termite nests. The cavities are covered by batumen, isolating the two species of insects. In this relationship, we suppose that only cupiras are benefitted, as the termites are finaly banished from the nests.

Keywords: Cupira, stingless bee, Partamona, termite, Constrictotermes, semiarid region, Paraíba State.

Descritores: Cupira, Partamona, térmitas, Constrictotermes, região semi-árida, Estado da paraíba.