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

This study shows the influence of meteorological factors on the collection of nectar and pollen by Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides Lepeletier foragers in their natural habitat. Five M. quadrifasciata anthidioides colonies were studied in Parque das Neblinas, Mogi das Cruzes district (23 degrees-44'52 '' S/46 degrees-09'46 '' W), from October 2009 to September 2010. The foraging activity of the worker bees was observed monthly and the temperature and relative humidity were registered and the pollen grains types from the pollen loads were identified. The peaks of pollen collection occurred between 08:30-09:50 am, while nectar was gathered along the day. The relation between 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 Myrtaceae (Eucalyptus, Myrcia), Melastomataceae and Solanaceae. The tolerance to the environmental conditions is discussed, as well as the plants explored for pollen sources.