Seasonal changes in species richness, composition, and abundance of male euglossine bees were determined by attracting individuals with cineole, eugenol and vanillin. The study was conducted at Estação Experimental de Zootecnia (EEZ), Municipio of Sertãozinho and at Santa Carlota Farm, Itaoca Section (SI), Municipio of Cajuru, State of São Paulo. Male euglossine bees were captured once every two weeks for one year in each site from 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Males of 10 and 14 species were captured at EEZ and SI, respectively. All species sampled at EEZ were also found at SI showing that the areas were similar. Eulaema nigrita Lepeletier, Euglossa pleosticta Dressler and Euglossa fimbriata Rebêlo & Moure were the most abundant species in both areas, and they accounted for 80.3% and 90.6% of the males captured at SI and EEZ, respectively. In both areas the males were most abundant in autumn (53.8% of the total population at EEZ and 46.3% at SI) and the least abundant in winter (0.7% at EEZ and 4.8% at SI). Species richness and bee abundance by season were not significantly correlated in both areas. Cineole was the most attractive bait (9 species and 58.7% of the males captures at EEZ and 13 species and 71.5% of the males at SI) followed by eugenol and vanillin.
Insecta; diversity; phenology; chemical baits
