Listening inside the trees: A novel and simple method to find active nest of stingless bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Meliponini) in Dry Chaco forests

Abstract

Forests are essential for human wellbeing since they provide multiple goods and services (of regulation, provision, cultural) that benefit human health. Insect pollinators represent one of the most important components of forest diversity because they have a significant role both in the plant species biodiversity conservation and agricultural production. In a multiannual monitoring of Meliponini wild colonies in a Dry Chaco forest, we have used a simple method to find colonies inside trees, even when conditions prevented foraging-activity of bees (cold, extreme heat). We briefly describe this method here and discuss its utility for ecologists and peasant communities.