Stingless bee foraging activity related to environmental aspects

Abstract

Abstract The environment where bee colonies are inserted must provide the necessary resources for their survival. Given this, any environmental changes can affect the development and survival of colonies. We evaluated the foraging activity of Plebeia droryana (Friese), Scaptotrigona bipunctata (Lepetelier) and Melipona quadrifasciata (Lepetelier) in areas with different land uses and land cover. These areas were classified as predominantly i) urbanized (area 1), ii) agricultural (area 2) and iii) with dense vegetation (area 3). We correlated the morphometric characteristics of the bees with the pollen load transported. Four colonies belonging to each species were installed in the three areas. We recorded light, wind speed, humidity and temperature and counted workers returning with nectar, pollen and resin. Plebeia droryana and S. bipunctata collected more resin and nectar in area 3 compared to area 2. Scaptotrigona bipunctata collected more pollen in areas 1 and 3, and M. quadrifasciatadid not show differences in foraging activity between areas. Plebeia droryana and M. quadrifasciata showed moderate and strong correlations for morphometric characteristics and pollen load. Smaller species showed greater collection of resources in the area predominantly covered by dense vegetation. The reduction of vegetation cover can affect the resource collection activity of stingless bees.