Maintenance of Colonies and Foraging Behaviour of Melipona quadrifasciata (Hymenoptera, Meliponina) in a Greenhouse of Lycopersicon esculentum (Solanaceae)

Abstract

The use of stingless bees in greenhouses has provided tremendous benefits to diverse crops in terms of productivity and fruit quality. However, knowledge about management techniques in these environments is still scarce. The present study aimed to evaluate the adaptation of Melipona quadrifasciata Lepeletier, 1836 in a greenhouse of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. for its potential use in pollinating this crop. Six nests of M. quadrifasciata were introduced in a greenhouse in Araguari, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. The development of colonies inside the greenhouse was investigated and the foraging behaviour of the workers was assessed before introduction into the greenhouse and again after the nests had been removed. The vital activities of colony maintenance were performed unevenly throughout the day inside and outside the greenhouse, but with confinement the daily period of foraging decreased and bees started collecting pollen from the flowers after approximately six months. The difficulty in orienting to and identifying flowers by the workers was attributed to sunlight diffusion and blockage of ultraviolet radiation caused by the cover on the greenhouse. Structural changes in the greenhouses, as well as improvements in management techniques, are required for better utilization of stingless bees for pollination of plant species grown in greenhouses.

Keywords

• stingless bees
• management of bees
• external activity
• resource collection