Pollen and nectar foraging by Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides Lepeletier (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini) in natural habitat

This study shows the influence of climatic factors and the nectar and pollen collection by Melipona quadrifasciata in a natural habitat. Five colonies were studied in Parque das Neblinas, Mogi das Cruzes district (23º44’52”S/46º09’46”W), from October 2009 to September 2010. The flight activity of the bees was observed monthly, the temperature and relative humidity were registered using dataloggers and pollen loads were analyzed. The peaks of pollen collection occurred between 8:30-9:50am, while nectar is gathering along the day. The relation of resources sampling and environmental temperature is best described with a polynomial function, while in relation to relative humidity the curves of foraging activity is slightly asymmetric to left. A total of 24 pollen types were identified and the most frequents were Eucalyptus, Melastomataceae, Solanaceae and Myrcia. The tolerance to the environmental conditions is discussed, as well as the plants explored for pollen sources