Abstract
Stingless bees are mainly tropical and subtropical, eusocial bees and perform activities that are both internal and external to the nest. This study aims to investigate and compare the daily flight activities of Melipona scutellaris Latreille and Frieseomelitta doederleini (Friese). The daily flight activities of the two Meliponini species was regular for both initial and final activities and for preferential time of activity throughout the months, which may indicate the presence of a biological rhythm synchronized by the daily light-dark cycle. Temperature, light intensity and relative humidity probably influenced the rhythms of activity during the day, in a way that may act as a modulator of bee rhythms. M. scutellaris was the larger and darker bees and showed earlier activities and in lower temperatures when compared to F. doederleini, which were smaller bees.
Highlights
Bees from Meliponini tribe manifest elaborated social behaviour and are characterised by having perennial colonies, presenting morphological and behavioural differences in the female castes, and some workers forage on floral resources that are important for the colony, especially for feeding the offspring (Michener, 2000)
Biological rhythms related to daily activity have been detected in Scaptotrigona aff. depilis (Moure) (Bellusci & Marques, 2001) and in Frieseomelitta varia (Lepeletier) (Almeida, 2004; Oda et al, 2007)
We studied the differences in the daily rhythm of flight activity of Melipona scutellaris Latreille and Frieseomelitta doederleini (Friese), and the influence of environmental and meteorological factors
Summary
Bees from Meliponini tribe manifest elaborated social behaviour and are characterised by having perennial colonies, presenting morphological and behavioural differences in the female castes, and some workers forage on floral resources that are important for the colony, especially for feeding the offspring (Michener, 2000). These foraging activities may occur at specific times of the day, as has been observed in studies on flight activities of several stingless bee species (Hilário et al, 2003; Pierrot & Schlindwein, 2003; Fidalgo & Kleinert, 2007). Biological rhythms related to daily activity have been detected in Scaptotrigona aff. depilis (Moure) (Bellusci & Marques, 2001) and in Frieseomelitta varia (Lepeletier) (Almeida, 2004; Oda et al, 2007)
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