Keanekaragaman Jenis, Biologi Sarang, dan Preferensi Tumbuhan Pakan Berdasarkan Analisis Muatan Polen Lebah Tanpa Sengat (Hymenoptera: Apidae) di Provinsi Aceh

Abstract

Sebagai bagian integral dari serangga berguna dalam penyerbukan, studi tentang keanekaragaman dan biologi persarangan lebah tanpa sengat sangat diperlukan. Informasi mengenai lebah tanpa sengat di Provinsi Aceh belum tersedia sampai saat ini. Studi ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis keanekaragaman spesies dan biologi persarangan lebah tanpa sengat Indo-Malaya di Provinsi Aceh. Penelitian ini juga bertujuan untuk mendokumentasikan tanaman pakan lebah dan muatan polen melalui analisis polen pada korbikula tubuh. Melalui survei eksploratif, data dikumpulkan dari dua lokasi observasi, yaitu Kabupaten Aceh Besar dan Bener Meriah di Provinsi Aceh antara bulan Juli dan Agustus 2023. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa sepuluh spesies lebah tanpa sengat telah tercatat. Panjang tubuh lebah tanpa sengat berkisar antara 4,6 hingga 11,7 mm dan panjang sayap depan antara 3 hingga 8,8 mm. Lokasi bersarang lebah tanpa sengat ditemukan pada material alami dan material yang terkait dengan pemukiman. Pintu masuk sarang bervariasi dengan panjang 1,75-13,54 cm, diameter horizontal 0,65-7,57 cm, diameter vertikal 0,45-7,46 cm, bentuk rongga berupa lingkaran dan tidak beraturan dengan tekstur lembut dengan resin dan pori-pori. Warna pintu masuk dominan dim gray. Sarang ini terletak 1-300 m dari sumber air dengan ketinggian 0-600 cm di atas permukaan tanah. Variasi pada corong pintu masuk sarang terkait dengan biologi dan adaptabilitas koloni terhadap lingkungan.

Selama periode penelitian di Provinsi Aceh teridentifikasi polen dari 163 jenis tumbuhan pakan. Selain itu, 4 polen teridentifikasi hingga tingkat famili, dan 10 polen tumbuhan tidak dapat teridentifikasi. Geniotrigona thoracica dan Tetragonula fuscobalteata dari seluruh lebah yang dianalisis dalam penelitian ini memiliki kemampuan mengangkut polen terbanyak (37.650 butir polen) dan terendah (2.350 butir polen). Kemampuan mengangkut polen tertinggi hingga terendah yaitu Geniotrigona thoracica (37. 650 butir), Heterotrigona itama (28.050 butir), Tetragonilla collina (27.450 butir), Lepidotrigona terminata (23.800 butir), Tetragonula minangkabau (17.950 butir), Lepidotrigona ventralis (17.500 butir), Tetragonula laeviceps (10.150 butir), Sundatrigona moorei (4.150 butir), Tetragonula geissleri (3.100 butir), dan Tetragonula fuscobalteata (2.350 butir).

As an integral part of beneficial insects in pollination, studying the diversity and nesting biology of stingless bees is essential. Information on stingless bees in Aceh Province has not been available until now. This study aims to analyze the species diversity and nesting biology of Indo-Malayan stingless bees in Aceh Province. The study also aims to document preference of foraged plants in stingless bees. Through an exploratory survey, data were collected from two observation sites, Aceh Besar and Bener Meriah Regencies in Aceh Province, between July and August 2023. The results show that ten species of stingless bees have been recorded. The body length of stingless bees ranges from 4.6 to 11.7 mm and the forewing length ranges from 3 to 8.8 mm. Nesting locations were found in both natural materials and materials associated with human settlements. The entrance tube lengths varied from 1.75 to 13.54 cm, with horizontal diameters ranging from 0.65 to 7.57 cm and vertical diameters ranging from 0.45 to 7.46 cm. The entrance cavity shapes were either circular or irregular, with a soft texture featuring resin and pores. The entrance color was predominantly dim gray. The nests were located 1-300 meters from water sources and at heights of 0-600 cm above ground level. Variations in the entrance tubes are related to the biology and adaptability of the colonies to their environment.

During the research period in Aceh Province, pollen from 163 types of foraged plants were identified. Additionally, 4 pollen types were identified to the family level, and 10 pollen types unidentified.. Among species bees analyzed in this study, Geniotrigona thoracica and Tetragonula fuscobalteata showed the highest (37,650 grains) and lowest (2,350 grains) loads, respectively. The pollen load from highest to lowest were Geniotrigona thoracica (37,650 grains), Heterotrigona itama (28,050 grains), Tetragonilla collina (27,450 grains), Lepidotrigona terminata (23,800 grains), Tetragonula minangkabau (17,950 grains), Lepidotrigona ventralis (17,500 grains), Tetragonula laeviceps (10,150 grains), Sundatrigona moorei (4,150 grains), Tetragonula geissleri (3,100 grains), and Tetragonula fuscobalteata (2,350 grains), respectively.