1. A Semi-Artificial Diet forScaptotrigona DepilisMoure (Hymenoptera, Apidae)
- Author
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Fernando Sérgio Zucoloto and Pedro Guilherme Fernandes-da-Silva
- Subjects
Beekeeping ,Sucrose ,biology ,Apidae ,food and beverages ,Economic shortage ,Hymenoptera ,medicine.disease_cause ,biology.organism_classification ,Yeast ,Scaptotrigona depilis ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Animal science ,chemistry ,Insect Science ,Pollen ,Botany ,medicine - Abstract
SummaryThree semi-artificial diets for Scaptotrigona depilis were devised and tested for use during times of pollen shortage. Diet 1 consisted of brewer's yeast and 50% sucrose. Diet 2 consisting of 20 g brewer's yeast, 1·5 g pollen from the colony, and 30 ml 50% commercial sucrose was allowed to ferment for 15 days at 28 to 30°C. Diet 3 was the same as Diet 2 but was not allowed to ferment. A control group received pollen from the colony and 50% commercial sucrose.Based on analysis of hypopharyngeal gland acini and on oocyte size, Diet 2 appeared to be a good substitute for the natural food of the species.
- Published
- 1990
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