Influence of seasonal changes in daily activity and annual life cycle of Geotrigona mombuca (Hymenoptera, Apidae) in a Cerrado habitat, São Paulo, Brazil

André L Gobatto,Fátima R N Knoll

doi:10.1590/s0073-47212013000400006

André L Gobatto, Fátima R N Knoll

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s0073-47212013000400006

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Abstract

The foraging activity of Geotrigona mombuca Smith, 1863 was studied under natural conditions aiming to verify the influence of seasonal changes on daily flight activity and annual cycle of the colony. Daily flight activity was monitored for a year based on the observation and counting of foragers leaving and entering the hive, as well as the kind of material transported and meteorological factors such as day time, temperature and relative humidity. The influence of seasonal changes was evidenced by alterations on daily rhythm of flight activity and by differences on transportation of food resources, building material and garbage. These data indicate that forager behavior is related to daily microclimate conditions and it is synchronized with the requirements of colony annual cycle, which determines an intense pollen collection in the summer. Thus, the recomposition of the intranidal population in spring and summer can be ensured, which is characterized both for a higher intensity of flight activity and increase in garbage and resin transport, as well as the swarming process in the spring. In this way, an action targeting the preservation or management of the species in a natural environment should consider that survival and reproduction of the colony depends greatly on the amount of available pollen in late winter.

Highlights

IntroductionA atividade de forrageamento de Geotrigona mombuca Smith, 1863 foi estudada em condições naturais com o objetivo de verificar a influência das mudanças sazonais na atividade diária e no ciclo anual da colônia
The monitoring of forager movement was applied in order to quantify the flight activity and the kind of material carried and to relate these data with meteorological factors and seasonal changes
Local data show climatic variation with the seasons of the year (Figueiredo & Silveira Paz, 2010): in spring, hot afternoons with high humidity and the highest temperatures recorded in the year, increased precipitation, rainy days exceeding 13 days; in autumn, warm temperatures during night and early morning facilitate the occurrence of fog and damp mist, less rain and a significant reduction of relative humidity; in winter, there is a higher variation in temperature range and relative humidity due to the absence of rains

Summary

Introduction

A atividade de forrageamento de Geotrigona mombuca Smith, 1863 foi estudada em condições naturais com o objetivo de verificar a influência das mudanças sazonais na atividade diária e no ciclo anual da colônia. An underground nest is comparatively more vulnerable than arboreal stingless bee nests (Meliponinae), which are more difficult to see and locate These factors can partially explain the lack of studies on this species, since little is known beyond its description (Camargo & Moure, 1996), geographic distribution (Camargo & Pedro, 2013) and some aspects of intranidal biology (Lacerda et al, 1991). The focus was the aspects of the ecology of Geotrigona mombuca that are important for the species’ preservation, providing useful information for its monitoring, management and beekeeping In this way, the aim was to study the influence of seasonal changes on daily activity and annual life cycle of G. mombuca. The monitoring of forager movement was applied in order to quantify the flight activity and the kind of material carried and to relate these data with meteorological factors and seasonal changes

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