PROTOCOL FOR SAMPLING ORCHID BEES (APIDAE: EUGLOSSINI) IN RAPELD PLOTS: USE OF SCENT TRAPS

Abstract

Orchid bees (Apidae: Euglossini) play a crucial ecological role as pollinators of numerous neotropical plants due to their diverse resource needs. The males exhibit a unique behavior of collecting aromatic compounds from various sources, such as orchid flowers and other plants, to use in mating displays. This distinctive biological trait has proven extremely useful for studies on community structure, as males can be easily attracted using artificial fragrance baits placed in their natural habitats. This work proposes the adoption of a minimal collection protocol for Euglossini bees in RAPELD plots within the Research Program, particularly for studies on community and population ecology. The proposed approach provides a foundation for future studies investigating the influence of environmental factors, such as edaphic variables and plant composition, on the diversity and distribution of Euglossini bees. Additionally, by optimizing sampling effort, this protocol contributes to the sustainability of monitoring practices, minimizing impact on local populations and maximizing the efficiency of available human and financial resources. In the long term, the adoption of this protocol is expected to inspire similar initiatives in other regions, expanding the data network on pollinators and promoting an integrated view of biodiversity. Further studies could explore, for example, the effects of plant-pollinator interactions across climatic gradients and the relationship between land-use changes and the ecological functionality of Euglossini bees.