FENOLOGIA E PREFERÊNCIA ALIMENTAR DE CEBLURGUS LONGIPALPIS URBAN E MOURE, 1993 (HYMENOPTERA, HALICTIDAE, DUFOUREINAE)

Abstract

Ceblurgus longipalpis (Halictidae) represents the first occurrence of the subfamily Dufoureinae in Brazil. The species was initially collected at Casa Nova, Bahia State, and Alagoinha, Pernambuco State. Additional specimens of this species were collected by us at São João do Cariri, Paraíba State. C. longipalpis is an oligolectic bee species, which inhabits the caatinga in Northeast Brazil. These bees are strongly seasonal, with activity only in the rainy season (summer). Flight activity overlaps blooming of Cordia leucocephala (Boraginaceae), which is visited for pollen and nectar foraging. Of the 147 specimens collected, only two were visiting flowers of Ipomoea bahiensis (Convolvulaceae) and two of Sida galheirensis (Malvaceae). 97,3% were collected at Cordia leucocephala. Irregular rainy seasons in the caatinga may cause alteration in flight activity of Ceblurgus longipalpis, as it depends mainly on Cordia leucocephala to forage. It was also observed that the bees foraged on Cordia leucocephala flowers mainly in the early morning.