Daily and seasonal foraging activity of Melipona scutellaris in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Among stingless bees, Melipona scutellaris Latreille, 1811, commonly known as Uruçu Nordestina, is a relevant species in northeastern Brazil due to its environmental and economic importance. Preserving and managing this species requires detailed knowledge of its biology and ecology. This study examined the foraging behavior of M. scutellaris, native to the Atlantic Forest biome. Observations were conducted twice monthly from September 2022 to August 2024 at the Experimental Meliponiculture Sector of UFRPE in Recife, Brazil. Foraging activity was recorded hourly between 07:00 and 17:00, with bees classified into two categories: those carrying visible corbicular loads and those without. Ambient temperature and relative humidity were simultaneously measured using a digital thermo-hygrometer. The results showed that bees were most active in the early morning, when temperatures were lower and humidity was higher, regardless of the season. Regression analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between foraging activity and relative humidity (p < 0.0001), and a significant negative correlation with temperature (p = 0.0031). Comparative data from the winters of 2023 and 2024 indicated reduced bee activity associated with lower humidity and elevated temperatures, suggesting potential impacts of climate change. These findings emphasize the sensitivity of M. scutellaris to environmental variation and highlight the need for adaptive strategies, such as supplemental feeding, to mitigate the effects of seasonal stressors and global warming on pollination services and colony resilience.