The camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia (H. B.K.) McVaugh, Myrtaceae) is a native fruit tree found on seasonaly flooded banks of Amazonian rivers and lakes, which is being domesticated for cultivation on non-flooded areas. Its high ascorbic acid content, approximately 2,800 mg.100g-1 of pulp has increased the demand for local market and exportation. The floral biology and reproductive phenology of camu-camu were investigated in 1997 and 1998. The studies were carried out in orchards at Embrapa Amazônia Oriental, located in Belém and in areas of natural occurrence in Santarém and Oriximiná, Pará State, northern Brazil. Direct observations on the visitors behavior were done, as well as capturing of specimens for identification. M. dubia showed inflorescences with white, polyandrous, hermaphroditic flowers. Anthesis occurred between 5:00 to 7:00 a.m. The pollen grains are dry, easily carried by wind or gravity, being the main flower resource. The osmophores are located at the calyx, corolla, anthers and stigma. The flowering phenology was "steady-state" type, and showed a peak in March. Fruitification was higher in July. Partial leaf fall was observed in all the studied plants, mainly in November. The main flower visitors were Nannotrigona punctata and Trigona pallens (Meliponinae), as well as small beetles (Chrysomelidae). The stingless bees were considered the legitimate pollinators.
Amazon region; bees; native fruit tree; melittophily; pollination
