Information was obtained on the floral biology of Virola surinamensis (Rol.) Warb. (Myristicaceae), a dioecious arboreal species of great importance for the Amazon region economy. The study was carried out in the floodplain area near the Murucutu stream, on the right side of the Guamá River, at the Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia-UFRA, Belém-Pará , from January to December 2001. Floral biology was assessed from floral bud phase to senescence stage in male flowers and fruit formation in female flowers. Biochemical tests were carried out to verify odor, pigment, osmophore pigments and stigma receptivity. Floral visitors were observed during the diurnal period and visiting time, flower permanence time and frequency were recorded. Some individuals were collected with entomological net and identified by the Zoology Department of the Emílio Goeldi Paranaense Museum. Anthesis occurred between 06:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. in the staminate flowers, and between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. for the pistilate flowers. Odor was reported only in the staminate flowers and osmophore pigments in both flowers types. The stigma showed to be receptive between 12:00 and 2:00 p.m. Diptera order insects were the most frequent visitors on the staminate and pistilate flowers. The Copestylum sp. and Erystalys sp. were responsible for pollination.
Pollination ecology; biochemistry tests; floral visitors
