Candida Maria Lima Aguiar

Scopus Publications

Environmental and Nutritional Drivers of Size Variation in Centris Bees
Vini Gbami Silva Ferreira, Yuri Ribeiro Diogo, Hipólito Ferreira Paulino-Neto, Cândida Maria Lima Aguiar, Luciana Teresa Dias Cappelini, Michelle Manfrini Morais, Katia Conceição, Ivo Lebrun, Tiago Mauricio Francoy
Neotropical Entomology, 2026
Antennal Sensilla of Workers of Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides Lepeletier (Apidae, Meliponini) Removing and non-Removing Dead Brood: Morphology, Morphometry and Quantity
Jossimara Neiva de Jesus, Johnnatan Duarte de Freitas, Paulo Roberto Ribeiro de Mesquita, Carlos Alfredo Lopes de Carvalho, Frederico de Medeiros Rodrigues, Cândida Maria Lima Aguiar
Sociobiology, 2025
The sophisticated chemical communication of bees allows the natural control of pathogens and diseases in the colony, through hygienic behavior (HB), in which dead or sick brood are removed, improving colony health. In this study, we investigated the morphology, morphometry and quantity of sensilla of workers of Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides, removing and non-removing dead brood in the HB test. From the micrographs obtained through scanning electron microscopy, the sensilla trichodea (STr), basiconic (SBa), placodea (SPl), coeloconic (SCo), campaniform (SCa), ampullacea (SAm), cetica (SCe), chaetica (SCha), and its subtypes were morphologically characterized. We highlight the identification of sensilla STr 7, setae (SSe), placodea 2 (SPl 2), Bohm's bristles (BhB) and branched bristles (BB), not previously reported in this species. Morphometry indicates that removing workers have a longer average length of the antenna and its segments than non-removing bees, as well as the length of the SCo, SPl 1, SSe, STr 1, STr 2, STr 3 and STr 4 sensilla. Regarding the quantification of sensilla, there was no significant difference between the groups. Considering that chemical stimuli incite bee HB, sensilla may play a fundamental role in hygienic bee lineages, and there is a need to further explore this relationship to understand bee HB.
Monitoring a Nest Aggregation of a Solitary Ground Nesting Bee (Epicharis nigrita Friese) in an Urban Area
Celso Feitosa Martins, Valdemar Ismael dos Santos Neto, Cândida Maria Lima Aguiar
Sociobiology, 2025
Bees are one of the most important ecological (as pollinators of cultivated and wild plant species) and economic (fruits and seeds produced by pollination, and several bee products commercialized and consumed) groups of insects. Most bee species are solitary and ground nesting, and some form nest aggregations that can last for some years. Here, we studied a nest aggregation of Epicharis nigrita Friese from 2013 to 2025 in an urban area. We found that bee populations can vary from one year to the next and may persist for many years despite human interventions in the ground areas used by females to build nests. The aggregation of this species persists for at least 23 years in the area.
Influence of trap nest dimensions on reproductive biology and offspring body size in two centris bee species (hymenoptera: apidae)
Vini Gbami Silva Ferreira, Cândida Maria Lima Aguiar, Patrícia Luiza de Oliveira-Rebouças, Herbeson Ovidio de Jesus Martins, Tiago Mauricio Francoy
Journal of Apicultural Research, 2025
In this study, we examined how trap nest dimensions influence the offspring of two crop-pollinating bees, Centris (Heterocentris) analis (Fabricius, 1804) and Centris (Hemisiella) tarsata Smith, 1874 in two irrigated acerola orchards in Brazil. Trap nests with two lengths (10 cm and 15 cm) and four internal diameters (0.6, 0.8, 1.0, and 1.2 cm) were installed in 32 perforated wooden blocks (1,024 cavities) mounted on four steel shelves. Bee body size was assessed using head width, head length, and intertegular span. A total of 341 individuals of C. analis and 113 of C. tarsata were recorded. C. analis predominantly nested in cavities of 0.6 cm diameter and 15 cm length, while C. tarsata favored 0.8 cm diameter cavities of the same length. Natural enemy incidence was low, with Mesocheira bicolor being the most common kleptoparasite. Mortality rates were highest in narrower cavities (0.6 cm). Our findings demonstrate that offspring body size is more strongly influenced by trap nest diameter than length, highlighting the importance of nest architecture in the management and conservation of solitary bees. Optimizing nest dimensions can improve reproductive outcomes and support pollinator conservation in agricultural landscapes.
Diet of Xylocopa grisescens Lepeletier (Hymenoptera, Apidae) in a Semiarid Area Cultivated with Passion Fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims)
Jociara Silva Costa, Cândida Maria Lima Aguiar, Marcos da Costa Dórea, Francisco de Assis Ribeiro dos Santos, Pedro Manuel Villa, Willian Moura de Aguiar
Sociobiology, 2024
The loss and fragmentation of native vegetation harm pollinators and reduce crop productivity. The passion fruit crop is an excellent model for investigating this issue, as its pollinators are especially sensitive to deforestation. This study aimed to investigate food sources used by Xylocopa grisescens Lepeletier in the surroundings of passion fruit orchards. Samples of larval provisions within trap nests and pollen in scopae were collected from August 2019 to March 2020 and were subjected to acetolysis. Additionally, adults were collected while foraging in vegetation surrounding orchards. Twenty-nine pollen types were found in the larval provisions. Mimosa arenosa (TRF = 54.96%) and Anadenanthera colubrina had the highest relative frequencies (TRF). Passiflora edulis pollen type was found in all samples but had low frequency. The trophic niche width (H’) based on larval provisions was 1.34, and H’ based on pollen of the scopae was 1.79. The carpenter bee X. grisescens exploited a diverse set of plants around the orchards but concentrated foraging on a limited number of species, which were replaced over time, indicating generalist foraging behavior and flexibility in selecting sources of floral resources. Our study reinforces the need to conserve native vegetation remnants to maintain carpenter bee populations, which can contribute to increased crop productivity and improved fruit quality.
Susceptibility of Melipona scutellaris Latreille (Hymenoptera: Apidae) to Biopesticides
Joyse Brito Vieira, Cândida Maria Lima Aguiar, Emerson Dechechi Chambó, Marilene Fancelli, Carlos Augusto Dórea Bragança, Carlos Alfredo Lopes de Carvalho
Sociobiology, 2024
Products based on entomopathogenic fungi are extensively used to control insect pests. These biopesticides can result in lethal or sublethal effects on non-target organisms. This study aimed to evaluate the survival of Melipona scutellaris Latreille workers exposed to commercial products based on Beauveria bassiana (IBCB 66), Metarhizium anisopliae (IBCB 425), and Isaria fumosorosea (ESALQ 1296). Fifty foragers were exposed to B. bassiana at 8.25 x 106 conidia/mL, M. anisopliae at 1.1 x 107 conidia/mL, and I. fumosorosea at 2.5 x 109 conidia/mL, using three routes of exposure (ingestion, contact with a surface, and topical application). Kaplan-Meier survival curves were estimated to determine the proportion of workers surviving after each application of the biopesticides. Workers exposed to B. bassiana, M. anisopliae, and I. fumosorosea presented survival rates of 74%, 34%, and 42%, respectively, after 168 hours of exposure by ingestion. For exposure via contact with a contaminated surface, survival rates were 64%, 70%, and 78%; for topical application, 68%, 66%, and 72% of the workers survived, respectively. The results highlight the variability in toxicity of biopesticides based on M. anisopliae, B. bassiana, and I. fumosorosea for M. scutellaris workers. Although all biopesticides resulted in mortality, bee survival rates varied depending on the exposure route. Understanding the effect of entomopathogenic fungi-based products on M. scutellaris may facilitate the development of strategies (such as timing and frequency of spraying) to reduce their impact on bees.
Volatile Organic Compounds from Offspring of Stingless Bee Sacrificed in Hygienic Behavior Test
Jossimara Neiva de Jesus, Paulo Roberto Ribeiro Mesquita, Kelly Barbosa da Silva, Frederico de Medeiros Rodrigues, Carlos Alfredo Lopes de Carvalho, João Gomes da Costa, Cândida Maria Lima Aguiar
Chemistry and Biodiversity, 2024
This study shows the profile of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from pupae and larvae of Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides Lepeletier subjected to three death induction techniques for hygienic behavior (HB) studies: freezing in liquid nitrogen (LN2), freezing in a freezer (FRZ) and piercing of offspring with an entomological pin (PIN). The VOCs from larvae and pupae were obtained through headspace solid‐phase microextraction and characterized using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. In addition, an HB test was performed on the colonies. The main classes of VOCs were hydrocarbons, terpenes and alcohols. Multivariate analysis was applied and showed that there was a separation in the compound profiles between the different treatments. The HB test in the colonies showed that 24 hours after the application of the techniques, the bees removed more dead larvae in LN2 treatment (83.5 %), while after 48 hours more larvae were removed in the LN2 and FRZ treatments (92.3 %). When compared to pupae removal, larvae removal was significantly faster in LN2.
Nesting biology of Centris (Paracentris) xanthomelaena (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Centridini)
Herbeson Ovidio de Jesus Martins, Patricia Luiza de Oliveira-Rebouças, Cândida Maria Lima Aguiar, Cláudia Inês da Silva, Vinina Silva Ferreira
Journal of Apicultural Research, 2023
Centris (Paracentris) xanthomelaena is a ground-nesting solitary bee endemic to Brazil’s Caatinga biome. In this unprecedented study, we described this species’ nesting biology and other features, such as its architecture, nest building dynamics, sex ratio and adult emergence. We selected five aggregations in a fragment of seasonally dry forest. Nests were established on vertical banks and flat soil. The architecture was branched and the brood cells were linearly arranged. Females spent an average of 1.8 days building and supplying each brood cell (n = 13). The C. xanthomelaena bionomy is similar to that reported in bees of the same genus.
Toxicity of chlorpyrifos, cyflumetofen, and difenoconazole on Tetragonisca angustula (Latreille, 1811) under laboratory conditions
Delzuite Teles Leite, Roberto Barbosa Sampaio, Emerson Dechechi Chambó, Cândida Maria Lima Aguiar, Mauricio Sekiguchi de Godoy, Carlos Alfredo Lopes de Carvalho
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science, 2022
Cavity length affects the occupation of trap-nests by centris analis and tetrapedia diversipes (Hymenoptera: Apidae)
Claudia Oliveira Santos, Paulo Enrique Cardoso Peixoto, Cândida Maria Lima Aguiar
Sociobiology, 2020
The ideal cavity dimensions for neotropical cavity-nesting bees with the potential to be managed as pollinators have not been getting proper attention. We investigated whether the occupancy of trap-nests by Centris analis Fabricius and Tetrapedia diversipes Klug, and other nesting aspects, are affected by different trap-nest length. The used trap-nests were cardboard tubes 5, 10, 15 and 20 cm in length, and Ø 8 mm. Occupation rates of 10-cm trap-nests by C. analis was higher than that of the 5-cm ones (χ2=11.17, gl=1, p<0.001). On the other hand, there was not difference between the occupation rates of 10 and 15-cm long trap-nests (χ2=0.51, gl=1, p=0.48), and between the ones measuring 15 and 20 cm long (χ2=1.36, gl=1, p=0.24). T. diversipes occupied a smaller number of 5-cm trap-nests than the 10-cm ones (χ2=1.52, gl=1, p=0.22), as well as that the 15-cm ones were more occupied than the 10-cm trap-nests (χ2=4.23, gl=1, p=0.04); moreover, there was not difference between the occupation of 15 and 20-cm trap-nests (χ2=0.28, gl=1, p=0.59). Both species showed higher rates of dead immatures in nests set in the shortest trap-nests, whereas these mortality rates were lower in the longest ones. By taking into consideration that there was not significant difference in many of the assessed parameters in comparison to values recorded for 15 and 20-cm long trap-nests, it seems likely to recommend the adoption of 10-cm long trap-nests for C. analis reproduction in agricultural sites that depend on the pollination service provided by this bees species.
Food Niche of Solitary and Social Bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) in a Neotropical Savanna
Claudia Oliveira dos Santos, Cândida Maria Lima Aguiar, Celso Feitosa Martins, Edson Braz Santana, Flávio França, Efigênia Melo, Gilberto Marcos M. Santos
Sociobiology, 2020
Morphometric variability among populations of euglossa cordata (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Euglossini) from different phytophysiognomies
Lazaro Carneiro, Cândida Maria Lima Aguiar, Willian Moura Aguiar, Elon Souza Aniceto, Lorena Andrade Nunes, Vinina Silva Ferreira
Sociobiology, 2019
Editorial
Sociobiology, 2018
Species richness and diversity in bee assemblages in a fragment of Savanna (Cerrado) at northeastern Brazil
Cândida Maria Lima Aguiar, Edson Braz Santana, Celso Feitosa Martins, Felipe Vivallo, Cláudia Oliveira Santos, Gilberto Marcos de Mendonça Santos
Sociobiology, 2018
The cavity-nesting bee guild (apoidea) in a neotropical sandy coastal plain
Patricia Oliveira Rebouças, Cândida Aguiar, Vinina Ferreira, Geni Sodré, Carlos Carvalho, Miriam Gimenes
Sociobiology, 2018
Orchid bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Euglossini) in seasonally dry tropical forest (Caatinga) in Brazil
Lazaro Da Silva Carneiro, Willian Moura Aguiar, Candida Maria Lima Aguiar, Gilberto Marcos De Mendonça Santos
Sociobiology, 2018
Pollen types from colonies of Melipona scutellaris Latreille, 1811 (Hymenoptera: Apidae) established in a coffee plantation
Cátia Ionara Santos Lucas, Weliton Carlos De Andrade, Adailton Freitas Ferreira, Geni Da Silva Sodré, Carlos Alfredo Lopes De Carvalho, Maria Angélica Pereira de Carvalho Costa, Cândida Maria Lima Aguiar
Grana, 2018
The orchid bee communities in different phytophysiognomies in the atlantic forest: From lowland to montane rainforests
Willian Moura Aguiar, Renata Lee dos Santos Medeiros, Candida Maria Lima Aguiar, Isaura Gabriela Mendonça Borges
Sociobiology, 2017
Exploitation of floral resources and niche overlap within an oil-collecting bee guild (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in a neotropical savannah
Cândida Maria Lima Aguiar, Juliana Caramés, Flavio França, Efigenia Melo
Sociobiology, 2017
The similar usage of a common key resource does not determine similar responses by species in a community of oil-collecting bees
Cândida Maria Lima Aguiar, Shantala Lua, Maise Silva, Paulo Enrique Cardoso Peixoto, Heiddy M Alvarez, Gilberto Marcos de Mendonça Santos
Sociobiology, 2017
Oil-collecting bee–flower interaction network: do bee size and anther type influence the use of pollen sources?
Laíce S. Rabelo, Alice M. G. F. Vilhena, Esther M. A. F. Bastos, Cândida M. L. Aguiar, Solange Cristina Augusto
Apidologie, 2015
Special issue on stingless bees: Integrating basic biology and conservation
Cândida Maria Lima Aguiar, Denise Araujo Alves, Tom Wenseleers, Vera Lucia Imperatriz-Fonseca
Sociobiology, 2014
Pollen consumed by the solitary bee Tetrapedia diversipes (Apidae: Tetrapediini) in a tropical agroecosystem
Cynthia Maria De Lyra Neves, Carlos Alfredo Lopes De Carvalho, Cerilene Santiago Machado, Cândida Maria Lima Aguiar, Fernanda Silva Das Mercês Sousa
Grana, 2014
Plastic nesting behavior of Centris (Centris) flavifrons (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Centridini) in an urban area
Celso F. Martins, Marcella P. Peixoto, Cândida M. L. Aguiar
Apidologie, 2014
Density and Distribution of Xylocopa Nests (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Caatinga Areas in the Surroundings of Passion Fruit Crops
C F Martins, K M M de Siqueira, L H P Kiill, I I S Sá, C M L Aguiar
Neotropical Entomology, 2014
Food niche overlap among neotropical carpenter bees (hymenoptera: Apidae: Xylocopini) in an agricultural system
Danielle Mendes Carvalho, Candida Maria Lima Aguiar, Gilberto Marcos Mendonça Santos
Sociobiology, 2013
Centris aenea (hymenoptera, apidae): A ground-nesting bee with high pollination efficiency in malpighia emarginata DC (malpighiaceae)
Geane Almeida Oliveira, Cândida Maria Lima Aguiar, Maise Silva, Miriam Gimenes
Sociobiology, 2013
Editorial
Sociobiology, 2013
The larval provisions of the crop pollinator Centris analis: Pollen spectrum and trophic niche breadth in an agroecosystem
Ricardo M. Santos, Cândida M. L. Aguiar, Marcos da C. Dórea, Gesline F. Almeida, Francisco de A. R. dos Santos, Solange C. Augusto
Apidologie, 2013
A study of pollen residues in nests of Centris trigonoides Lepeletier (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Centridini) in the Caatinga vegetation, Bahia, Brazil
Marcos da Costa Dórea, Cândida Maria Lima Aguiar, Luís Enrique Rodriguez Figueroa, Luciene Cristina Lima e Lima, Francisco de Assis Ribeiro dos Santos
Grana, 2013
Mitochondrial DNA variability in populations of Centris aenea (Hymenoptera, Apidae), a crop-pollinating bee in Brazil
V.S. Ferreira, C.M.L. Aguiar, E.J.F. Oliveira, M.A. Costa, G.M.M. Santos, J.G. Silva
Genetics and Molecular Research, 2013
Trophic niche breadth and niche overlap in a guild of flower-visiting bees in a Brazilian dry forest
Cândida M. L. Aguiar, Gilberto M. de M. Santos, Celso F. Martins, Steven J. Presley
Apidologie, 2013
Overlap in trophic and temporal niches in the flower-visiting bee guild (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) of a tropical dry forest
Gilberto M. de M. Santos, Carlos A. L. de Carvalho, Cândida M. L. Aguiar, Leonardo S. S. R. Macêdo, Marco A. R. Mello
Apidologie, 2013
Invasive Africanized honeybees change the structure of native pollination networks in Brazil
Gilberto M. de M. Santos, Cândida M. L. Aguiar, Julieta Genini, Celso F. Martins, Fernando C. V. Zanella, Marco A. R. Mello
Biological Invasions, 2012
Trap-nesting Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in orchards of acerola (Malpighia emarginata) in a semiarid region of Brazil
Sociobiology, 2011
Morphometric analysis of populations of centris aenea lepeletier (Hymenoptera: Apidae) from northeastern Brazil
VS Ferreira, CML Aguiar, MA Costa, JG Silva
Neotropical Entomology, 2011
Residual pollen in nests of Centris analis (hymenopera, apidae, centridini) in an area of caatinga vegetation from Brazil
Marcos da Costa Dórea, Cândida Maria Lima Aguiar, Luís Enrique Rodrigues Figueroa, Luciene Cristina Lima Lima, Francisco de Assis Ribeiro Santos
Oecologia Australis, 2010
Pollen residues in nests of Centris tarsata Smith (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Centridini) in a tropical semiarid area in NE Brazil
Marcos da Costa Dórea, Cândida M.L. Aguiar, Luís E.R. Figueroa, Luciene C. Lima E. Lima, Francisco de Assis R. dos Santos
Apidologie, 2010
Flower-visiting guild associated with the Caatinga flora: Trophic interaction networks formed by social bees and social wasps with plants
Gilberto M. de Mendonça Santos, Cândida M. Lima Aguiar, Marco A.R. Mello
Apidologie, 2010
Fluctuations in richness and abundance of social wasps during the dry and wet seasons in three phyto-physiognomies at the tropical dry forest of Brazil
G. M. de M. Santos, P. C. Bispo, C.M.L. Aguiar
Environmental Entomology, 2009
Plant use and niche overlap between the introduced honey bee (Apis mellifera) and the native bumblebee (Bombus atratus) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in an Area of tropical mountain vegetation in northeastern Brazil
Sociobiology, 2009
Floral resource partitioning by social wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) and bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) in an area of caatinga in Brazil
Cândida M.L. Aguiar, Gilberto M. de M. Santos
Neotropical Entomology, 2007
The use of cactus fruit food resources by social wasp (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Polistinae) in an area of Caatinga (Ipirá, Bahia, Brazil)
Gilberto M. M. Santos, Jucelho D. da Cruz, Carlos C. Bichara Filho, Oton M. Marques, Cândida M. L. Aguiar
Revista Brasileira De Zoologia, 2007
Characterization of the social wasp guild (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) visiting flowers in the Caatinga (Itatim, Bahia, Brazil)
Sociobiology, 2006
Nesting biology of Centris (Hemisiella) trigonoides Lepeletier (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Centridini)
Cândida M. L. Aguiar, Carlos A. Garófalo, Gesline F. Almeida
Revista Brasileira De Zoologia, 2006
The bee community (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Apiformis) of an area in the border of the caatinga domain (Itatim, BA - Brazil)
Cândida M.L. Aguiar, Fernando C.V. Zanella
Neotropical Entomology, 2005
Flower visits of Centris bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in an area of Caatinga (Bahia, Brazil)
C�ndida Maria Lima Aguiar
Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment, 2003
Plants visited by Centris spp. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in the Caatinga to obtain floral resources
Cândida M.L. Aguiar, Fernando C.V. Zanella, Celso F. Martins, Carlos A.L. de Carvalho
Neotropical Entomology, 2003

Candida Maria Lima Aguiar

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Scopus Publications