An experiment was developed in a macadamia orchard to determine the insects associated to the panicles, and the number and duration of the visits. The studies were conducted in Tiete, SP, Brazil. The insects were collected with entomological nets, killed and identified according to the species. The time and number of visits for the A. mellifera and Trigona bees were determined by counting the insects present in five panicles (from 7:40 a.m. to 5:40 p.m. at each 15 minute period). 20 insects species were captured in eight collectings; A. mellifera being the most abundant and frequent in 96% of the visits; significant difference was observed for the number of visits of Apis from 7:40 a.m. to 5:40 p.m., in relation to Trigona species, for which no significant difference was observed. The number of visits of A. mellifera increased since 7:40 a.m., with peaks at 10:40 a.m. and between 1:40 p.m. and 2:40 p.m. The number of visits was quite reduced from 11:40 a. m to 12:40 p.m.
Macadamia integrifolia; panicles; insects; Apis; Trigona; bees
