Pattern of the daily flight activity in two colonies of Nannotrigona testaceicornis (Lepeletier, 1836) (Hymenoptera, Apidae) in different conditions in the Brazilian semiarid region

Abstract

The flight activities of Meliponini (stingless bees) are associated with a series of behaviors in particular in the collection of pollen, nectar, resin and clay during the day, which can be influenced by factors that are extrinsic (abiotic) or intrinsic (internal conditions of the colony, morphology and physiology of the individuals). This study has as a goal to analyze the pattern of the daily flight activity of Nannotrigona testaceicornis and the influence of climatic factors (temperature, relative humidity and light intensity) upon these activities in the Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil. The study was conducted every two months between October 2010 and October 2011 during three consecutive days in two colonies (one managed and the other unmanaged). The managed colony was more active than the unmanaged one in all the months. Nevertheless, both colonies showed regularity as to the correlation of times of their first activities and also as to the preferential time for the most part of the activities that were analyzed, which occurred generally in the morning. This daily pattern of activity of both colonies was probably influenced by the temperature and light intensity; that is, these activities should happen when these two factors are optimal for the flight.

Keywords

• Stingless bees
• Daily flight activity
• Meliponini
• Biological rhythm