Foraging Activity of Geniotrigona thoracica Smith (Apidae: Meliponinae) and Its Feed Plants in the Universitas Syiah Kuala Campus Area, Banda Aceh

Geniotrigona thoracica plays an essential role in pollination and ecosystem sustainability, making the research of its foraging behavior crucial for understanding its ecological contributions. This research investigates the foraging activities and food plants of G. thoracica to determine their foraging behavior, food sources, and materials used for nest construction. The research was conducted from February to May 2024. The method employed direct observation of the foraging activities of three G. thoracica colonies. Data collection was carried out for 10 minutes every hour (five minutes observing bees leaving the nest and five minutes observing their return) from 06:00 to 18:00 WIB. Foraging activities were categorized into nest exit and entry behaviors. Additionally, food plant and nest material identification was conducted using the transect method along eight paths aligned with the cardinal directions, within a 500-meter radius from the colony. The results show that G. thoracica engages in foraging activities to collect pollen, nectar, a combination of pollen and nectar, and resin. Pollen was the most frequently transported resource by worker bees, followed by resin and nectar. In the campus area of Syiah Kuala University, a total of 131 plant species were identified as food sources and nesting materials, with eight species serving as resin sources. This research provides insights into the ecological role of G. thoracica and the diversity of plant resources essential for its survival.