Journal Article

Flight radius and climatic conditions affect the external activity of stingless bee Melipona rufiventris (Lepeletier, 1836)

Freitas, P. V. D. X., Ferro, R. A. C., Ferro, D. A. C., Faquinello, P., Arnhold, E., Lacerda, M. L. G., Silva Neto, C. M., Leite, P. R. S. C.

2023

Overview

Abstract The objective of this study was to verify the flight radius and the influence of the climatic season and period of the day on the external activity of Melipona rufiventris bees. The forager bees were released at different distances to evaluate the flight radius. The following were considered for external activities in the four different seasons of the year (Winter, Autumn, Spring, Summer): the entry with no apparent load was considered as nectar/water, entry with defined and opaque mass in the corbicula was considered as pollen, the entry with undefined and shiny mass in the corbicula was considered as resin/clay or bee exit no load and removal of debris, mass trapped by the jaws. Assessments were performed between 6 am and 6 pm each month. M. rufiventris can reach distances of 2 500 meters, however the return decreases as the distance increases. The species performs all activities in and out of the colony during all seasons of the year and periods between 6 am and 6 pm but reduce nectar/water collection and exit from the box without apparent load and with debris between 6:00 am and 10 am in winter. It is concluded that distances greater than 1 500 meters hinder the external activity of bees which is influenced by air temperature, air humidity, time of day, season of the year and food availability. Resumo Objetivou-se com esse estudo verificar o raio de voo e a influência da estação climática e período do dia na atividade externa das abelhas Melipona rufiventris. As abelhas forrageiras foram soltas em diferentes distâncias para avaliar o raio de voo. Para as atividades externas nas quatro diferentes estações do ano (Inverno, Outono, Primavera, Verão) foram consideradas: a entrada sem carga aparente como néctar/água, a entrada com massa definida e opaca na corbícula caracterizada como pólen, a entrada com massa indefinida e brilhante na corbícula caracterizada como resina/argila ou ainda a saída de abelha sem carga e remoção de detritos, massa presa pelas mandíbulas. As avaliações foram realizadas entre 6h e 18h de cada mês. M. rufiventris pode atingir distâncias de 2500 metros, porém o retorno diminui à medida que a distância aumenta. A espécie realiza todas as atividades dentro e fora da colônia durante todas as estações do ano e períodos entre 6h e 18h, mas reduz a coleta de néctar/água e saída caixa sem carga aparente e com detritos entre 6h e 10h no inverno. Conclui-se que distâncias superiores a 1500 metros reduzem a atividade externa das abelhas que é influenciada pela temperatura e umidade do ar, hora do dia, estação do ano e disponibilidade de alimentos.

• Publisher: Instituto Internacional de Ecologia
• Subject: Air temperature / Beekeeping / Bees / behavior / BIOLOGY / Climatic conditions / Debris / Ecosystems / Endangered & extinct species / extinction / Flight / Food availability / foraging / Foraging behavior / Influence / Melipona rufiventris / meliponiculture / Nectar / Pollen / Seasonal variations / seasonality / Seasons / Temperature / Time of use / Wildlife conservation / Winter