Trophic Niche Overlap in Stingless Bees (Melipona Illiger, 1806) Across Seasons in Southern Brazil

Understanding how stingless bee species share floral resources is essential for optimizing meliponiculture and supporting pollinator conservation. This study investigated the trophic niche overlap of four Melipona species (M. quadrifasciata, M. bicolor, M. torrida, and M. mondury) in Southern Brazil across warm and cold seasons. Pollen samples were collected monthly over 10 months and analyzed to assess richness, trophic niche breadth, and overlap between species' trophic niches. Results showed seasonal variation in foraging patterns, with all species (except M. mondury) reducing their niche breadth in colder months. Melipona mondury, a species native to warmer regions of the Atlantic Forest and lacking reproductive diapause, maintained a broad niche year-round, possibly increasing its vulnerability in colder climates. The highest overlap occurred between M. quadrifasciata and M. mondury during the cold season, raising concerns about managing these species in consorted meliponiculture systems. The most frequently visited botanical families included Myrtaceae, Arecaceae, Asteraceae, Moraceae, and Fabaceae highlighting their importance as key floral resources. These findings highlight the importance of considering seasonal dynamics and species-specific traits in meliponiculture, including the need for targeted supplemental feeding and resource planning. Promoting key botanical resources such as Myrtaceae and Arecaceae can support sustainable colony development in high-density environments.