Daily flight activity pattern and the influence of abiotics factors of two Melipona species

Daily flight activity pattern and the influence of abiotics factors of two Melipona species | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Daily flight activity pattern and the influence of abiotics factors of two Melipona species Girlene Evangelista Ribeiro, Miriam Gimenes, Elmo Borges de Azevêdo Koch, and 1 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-5321862/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 5 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Climatic conditions influence the behavior and, consequently, the daily flight activity of bees, especially in eusocial species of the genus Melipona . This study aimed to investigate the daily flight activities of Melipona quadrifasciata and Melipona scutellaris by evaluating the presence or absence of flight activity patterns throughout the day in different months of the year, as well as to verify the influence of abiotic factors on these activities. The field research took place at CEARIS, BA, over a period of four months. The study revealed that colonies of M. scutellaris and M. quadrifasciata showed more intense activities during months of high temperature and low precipitation. Temperature and the light/dark cycle were important factors, influencing the start and end of these bees' daily activities, which tended to begin with sunlight and temperatures around 25°C. The collection of pollen and resin was concentrated in the morning, suggesting a strong correlation between the availability of these resources by plants and abiotics factors such as temperature and especially relative humidity. Daily activity patterns were observed, suggesting a biological rhythm of the bees, which may be influenced by environmental factors such as the light/dark cycle and local meteorological conditions. Additionally, the thermal window of 20 to 34°C observed may have masked the temperature influences on the bees' external activities, as these tropical organisms are adapted to such conditions. Biological rhythm meliponines Melipona quadrifasciata Melipona scutellaris Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Introduction Stingless bees (Apidae, Apinae, Meliponina) constitute a group of bees with atrophied stinger and highly eusocial behavior, distributed in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide (Maia-Silva et al. 2015 ). In Brazil, they play an important ecological and social role, especially in the northeastern semi-arid region, as they are responsible for pollinating native trees as well as economically important agricultural crops (Nunes et al. 2013 ; Maia-Silva et al. 2014 ). Since pollinating or foraging activities of bees generally occur in a dynamic environment, certain adjustments of these activities to the numerous changes in biotic and abiotic components of the environment are necessary (Polatto et al. 2014 ). Environmental changes cause organisms to oscillate to achieve an "adjustment" of activities with environmental and climatic cycles, as organisms must be prepared for the phases (favorable and unfavorable) to which they are subjected under environmental and climatic cycles (Markus et al.2003). Abiotic factors influence the behavior and, consequently, the daily flight activity of bees, especially in eusocial species of the genus Melipona , with temperature, relative humidity, and light intensity being the major atmospheric factors that affect these activities (Oliveira et al. 2012 ). Studies on bees of the Meliponina subtribe have shown that during cooler temperatures, bees initiate flight activity later, whereas at higher temperatures, bees initiate flight activity earlier and more intensely (Mecca-Figueredo and Nascimento 2013; Mascena et al. 2018 ). By directly affecting the energetic cost used to regulate body temperature during bee flight, temperature is the factor that most influences bee foraging activities, as about 80% of the energy metabolized by muscles is lost as heat (Roubik 1989 ). Relative humidity also can determine the times of flight activity in the Melipona genus, so that external activities can occur more intensively under high relative humidity, especially in the morning, apparently avoiding lower humidities throughout the day (Silva et al. 2011 ; Oliveira et al. 2012 ). Light intensity aids bees in orienting themselves in search of floral resources during flight activity (Polatto et al. 2014 ). In Melipona quinquefasciata Lepeletier, 1836, sunlight intensity was fundamentally related to flight activity and correlated positively with the flow of bees entering or leaving the nest with apparent material and without material, serving as a trigger for the beginning and end of activities, with no flow occurring without light (Mascena et al. 2018 ). Other factors can also influence the external activities of Meliponina bees such as internal colony demands (population size, developmental stage), and the availability of floral resources (Maia-Silva et al. 2014 ; Oliveira-Abreu et al. 2014 ). Several studies on stingless bees (Meliponina) are based on daily foraging activity (Correia et al. 2017 ). These studies address the external activity of bees according to the time of entry and exit of bees from the colony, with or without apparent material, during a certain period, in which patterns of daily bee flight activity can be detected and influenced by meteorological and environmental factors (Gouw and Gimenes 2013 ; Duarte et al. 2014 ; Silva and Gimenes 2014 ; Barbosa et al. 2016 ; Correia 2017; Xavier et al. 2020). Based on the importance of the daily flight activities of Melipona bees and the factors that can influence these activities, this study aimed to investigate the external daily activities of Melipona quadrifasciata Lepeletier, 1836 and Melipona scutellaris Latreille, 1811 by assessing the presence or absence of flight activity patterns throughout the day in different months of the year and also the influence of meteorological factors on these activities. Materials and Methods Study area The field study was conducted at the Rio Seco Agroecology Center (CEARIS), located in the municipality of Amélia Rodrigues in an ecotone area between the Atlantic Forest and Caatinga biomes (12°24'4''S, 38°45'18''W) (Ferreira et al., 2021 ). The climate of the area is classified as Tropical (Aw) (Alvares et al. 2014 ). Macroclimatic data (temperature and rainfall) were obtained for Feira de Santana, located 29 km from the study area (Weatherspark 2023 ), in which the rainiest months were from April to July and the dry period from September to February. The average annual temperature ranges from 18°C (July) to 35°C (January), with the highest average temperatures occurring between October and April (Weatherspark 2023 ). Sampling design and collection of bee data Observations of the bees' daily activities were repeated at four times: in November/December/21 (at the end of November and beginning of December), February/22, April/22, and June/22, on three consecutive days, from 5:00 to 18:00 h (from sunrise to sunset), at 15-minute intervals per hour for each colony, with two colonies being selected of M. scutellaris and one of M. quadrifasciata . During the observations, quantifications were made of bees entering and exiting (entry and exit) in the nest (without carrying apparent material), entry with pollen, entry with resin. To determine the influence of climatic and meteorological factors on bee flight activity, records of temperature, relative humidity, and light intensity were made at hourly intervals during the observations. These records were made with a digital thermohygrometer installed beside the bee colony, one meter above the ground. Light intensity (illuminance) was measured using a digital luxmeter placed approximately one meter above the ground. Two measurements of light intensity were taken: one at the colony entrance and another in the nearest open area to the colony. Statistical analyzes To analyze the patterns of daily flight activities of the Melipona species, the Circular Statistics method was applied, using the Rayleigh test for activities whose daily values greater than 10 during the study months. A value of r-vector greater than or equal to 0.7 was considered significant for the analysis. To compare the similarities and differences in activities among the studied colonies, the Kruskal-Wallis test was performed. To verify the existence of significant differences between behavioral variations in the three colonies, analysis of variance was conducted using the Tukey test at a 5% significance level. All mean analyses were performed using Statistica software version 10 (Statsoft 2011). To determine the influence of meteorological factors on the daily flight activities of the Melipona species, correlation was as performed, with the different colony activities (entries, entries with pollen, entries with resin and exits) being the dependent variable. The independent variables tested were temperature, relative humidity, colony light intensity, and area light intensity. For the analysis, we considered the average number of observations of the activity variables, considering the 12 observation events for each time. The average value of each environmental variable was also calculated considering the 12 observation events. These average values ​​of the activity and environmental variables were then correlated. These analyses were conducted using R software version 4.2.2 (R Core Team 2023). Results During the observations of flight activities of M. quadrifasciata and M. scutellaris in the study area the daily temperature ranged from 20°C (between 5:00 and 6:00 h in June/22) to 34°C (at 10:00 h in February/22). Relative humidity ranged from 42% (at 10:00 h in February/22) to 88% (at 6:00 h in June/22), the light intensity at the colony entrance ranged from 110 lux (at 5:00 h in June/22) to 7630 lux (11:00 h in February/22). The light intensity in the open area ranged from 140 lux (18:00 h in April/22) to 98,800 lux (11:00 h in June/22). Regarding the total number of observed bees, colonies 1 and 2 of M. scutellaris showed a similar total activity number over the observed months (around 1500 records each), while M. quadrifasciata showed a higher number (2604 records), confirmed by statistical analysis. The two colonies of M. scutellaris showed similar activity averages and differed from M. quadrifasciata (Table 1 ). Colonies M. scutellaris 1 and M. quadrifasciata showed higher total activity (entries + exits) in the months of November/December/21 and April/22 and lower in June/22, and M. scutellaris 2 showed the highest activity in April/22 and the lowest in February/22, with the rainy season in the study region generally occurring from April to July and the dry period from September to February. Table 1 Average number of activities of M. scutellaris and M. quadrifasciata colonies, in the months of November/December/21, February/22, April/22, and June/22, at CEARIS-UEFS, Amélia Rodrigues, Bahia. Colony Activity Entry Exit Entry with polen M. Scutellaris 1 5.33 b* 4.28 b 1.20 a b M. Scutellaris 2 5.55 b 4.58 b 0.83 b M. Quadrifasciata 8.32 a 7.68 a 1.71 a * Equal letters in the same column indicate that the means do not differ significantly by the Kruskal-Wallis test at a 95% confidence level. (p > 0,05). Regarding the daily flight activities of M. scutellaris and M. quadrifasciata , the mean test revealed that for entry, M. quadrifasciata showed higher activity compared to the other two colonies, the same was observed for exit and entry with pollen, but for this last activity did not differ significantly from M. scutellaris 1 (Table 1 ). Daily Activities The daily activities of Melipona spp. began at 5:00 a.m. during all months of the study (Figs. 1 and 2 ), with temperature ranging from 22°C (June) to 28°C (November/December) and an average of 25°C. Relative humidity varied from 73% (February) to 88% (June), with an average of 78%. Light intensity ranged from 113 lux (June) to 877 lux (February) at the colony entrance and from 218 lux (June) to 8,270 lux (February) in open areas. Activities generally ended around 6:00 p.m. in all three colonies studied (Figs. 1 and 2 ). Temperatures at the end of activities ranged from 25°C (June) to 31°C (November/December), with an average of 28°C. Relative humidity varied from 54% (November/December) to 71% (June), with an average of 62%. Light intensity ranged from 119 lux (June) to 1,140 lux (February) in the colony area and from 140 lux (April) to 6,290 lux (November/December) in open areas. Regarding external activities for entry and exit in M. quadrifasciata (Fig. 1 ) and M. scutellaris (no apparent material) (Fig. 2 ) these activities occurred more dispersed throughout the day, with a slight increase between 6:00 and 12:00 h. The results obtained with Circular Statistics analysis allowed for the analysis of the data of daily activities with greater precision. Based on these analyses Statistics analysis, significant mean angle (or preferential times, Acrophases) were observed throughout the day for the activities of entry and exit (without visible material), ranging from 8:17 ( M. scutellaris 2) to 9:09 h ( M. quadrifasciata ) in November/December, with significant r values, despite the varying number of total activities between the M. scutellaris and M. quadrifasciata colonies. In other months, the activity of entry and exit (without visible material) showed fewer significant results regarding acrophase, ranging from 8:35 to 9:26 h in February, from 9:05 to 9:34 h in April, and from 9:28 to 9:39 h in June. Generally, these activities occurred earlier for the two M. scutellaris colonies and later for M. quadrifasciata . These activities generally presented acrophases at times before 10:00 h (Table 2 ). Table 2 Values of the mean preferred times and the vector (r) for entry and exit activities (without apparent material) and pollen entry activities of Melipona scutellaris colonies (1 and 2) and Melipona quadrifasciata (3) in the months of November/December/21, February/22, April/22, and June/22, at CEARIS-UEFS, Amélia Rodrigues, Bahia. Colônia/Mês Entry (N) Entry r Exit (N) Exit r Pollen (N) Pollen r Resin (N) Resin r 1- Nov/dec 8:28 (156) 0,703 8:20* (126) 0,687* 7:44 (73) 0,886 7:42(71) 0,912 2 - Nov/dec 8:17 (139) 0,724 8:19 (167) 0,703 7:51 (48) 0,918 7:54 (63) 0,924 3 - Nov/dec 9:09 (340) 0,735 8:48 (394) 0,749 8:18 (104) 0,853 8:20 (126) 0,809 1 - Feb 8:35 (142) 0,745 9:12* (143) 0,634* 7:19 (43) 0,947 7:50 (30) 0,938 2 - Feb 9:34* (130) 0,613* 8:49* (108) 0,664* 7:48 (20) 0,981 7:59 (10) 0,946 3 - Feb 9:26 (232) 0,713 9:03 (228) 0,70 8:06 (59) 0,826 8:07 (51) 0,951 1 - Apr 10:14* (188) 0,607* 9:53* (166) 0,60* 6:55 (30) 0,880 7:09 (20) 0,885 2 - Apr 9:45* (247) 0,685* 9:34 (252) 0,708 6:45 (30) 0,980 7:05 (20) 0,975 3 - Apr 9:30* (170) 0,624* 9:05 (308) 0,715 7:52 (56) 0,856 7:54 (22) 0,703 1 - Jun 9:39 (136) 0,710 9:28 (115) 0,727 8:15 (25) 0,808 7:29 (10) 0,944 2 - Jun 9:41* (193) 0,682* 9:28 (154) 0,727 7:51 (20) 0,965 7:17 (10) 0,966 3 - Jun 9:34* (150) 0,644* 9:56* (128) 0,629* 8:34 (27) 0,905 7:09 (18) 0,951 * Mean vector (r) values not significant (below 0.7) Entry with pollen and entry with resin in the three colonies showed more regularity in timing than the other two activities, occurring in the morning, from 6:00 to 9:00 h (Figs. 1 and 2 ). Furthermore, higher r-vector values (circular statistics) were observed, indicating a concentration of this activity at a specific time of day (acrophase value) in all the months analyzed. The acrophases varied little for pollen entry, occurring from 7:44 to 8:18 h in November/December, from 7:19 to 8:06 h in February, from 6:45 to 7:52 h in April, and from 8:15 to 8:34 h in June. Pollen entry activities consistently occurred earlier for both colonies of M . scutellaris and later for M. quadrifasciata . These activities occurred earlier in April and later in June, though with little difference, ranging from 6:45 (April) to 8:34 (June) during all observations (Table 2 ). The acrophases for resin entry varied little, occurring from 7:42 to 8:20 h in November/December, from 7:50 to 8:07 h in February, from 7:05 to 7:54 h in April, and from 7:09 to 7:29 h in June. These acrophases generally occurred earlier for both colonies of M. scutellaris and later for M. quadrifasciata . During the months of November/December, February, and April, the times corresponding to acrophases for pollen and resin entry for the three observed colonies were very close, but in June resin entry occurred earlier than pollen entry. However, the latest observed time for both activities was around 8:30 h (Table 2 ). Regarding the correlations between colony activities and environmental variables, no significant correlations were observed for M. quadrifasciata between colony entry and exit activities and the evaluated environmental variables (Table 3 ). Most environmental variables showed no correlation with the activities measured. However, a moderate positive correlation was found between pollen entry activity and relative humidity (58%), as well as between resin entry activity and relative humidity (65%) (Table 3 ). Table 3 Results obtained from the correlations between the different activity variables and environmental variables involving the bee colonies evaluated at CEARIS-UEFS, Amélia Rodrigues, Bahia. Correlations that were significant are highlighted in bold. Species Activity variable Environmental variable p value r M. quadrifasciata Entries Temperature 0.357 -0.29 Humidity 0.114 0.47 Colony light intensity 0.104 0.49 Area light intensity 0.196 0.40 Entries with pollen Temperature 0.182 -0.41 Humidity 0.045 0.58 Colony light intensity 0.373 0.28 Area light intensity 0.243 0.36 Entries with resin Temperature 0.090 -0.50 Humidity 0.020 0.653 Colony light intensity 0.636 0.152 Area light intensity 0.544 0.194 Exits Temperature 0.285 -0.33 Humidity 0.077 0.53 Colony light intensity 0.169 0.42 Area light intensity 0.191 0.40 M. scutellaris col. 1 Entries Temperature 0.239 -0.36 Humidity 0.063 0.55 Colony light intensity 0.591 0.17 Area light intensity 0.379 0.27 Entries with pollen Temperature 0.012 -0.69 Humidity 0.001 0.82 Colony light intensity 0.754 -0.10 Area light intensity 0.712 0.12 Entries with resin Temperature 0.011 -0.70 Humidity < 0.001 0.84 Colony light intensity 0.656 -0.14 Area light intensity 0.769 0.09 Exits Temperature 0.077 -0.53 Humidity 0.013 0.69 Colony light intensity 0.725 0.11 Area light intensity 0.597 0.16 M. scutellaris col. 2 Entries Temperature 0.371 -0.28 Humidity 0.232 0.37 Colony light intensity 0.766 0.09 Area light intensity 0.891 -0,04 Entries with pollen Temperature 0.057 -0,56 Humidity 0.009 0.71 Colony light intensity 0.971 -0,01 Area light intensity 0.595 0.17 Entries with resin Temperature 0.075 -0,53 Humidity 0.015 0.68 Colony light intensity 0.980 0.01 Area light intensity 0.627 0.15 Exits Temperature 0.265 -0.34 Humidity 0.167 0.42 Colony light intensity 0.811 0.07 Area light intensity 0.726 -0.11 When analyzing the first colony of M. scutellaris , no significant correlations were found between colony entry activity and environmental variables. A moderate positive correlation was observed between colony exit activity and relative humidity (69%). Additionally, strong positive correlations were found between relative humidity and both pollen entry (82%) and resin entry (84%) activities. Conversely, moderate negative correlations were observed between these activities and temperature (Table 3 ). Finally, for the second colony of M. scutellaris , a pattern similar to that of M. quadrifasciata was observed: a moderate positive correlation was found between pollen entry activity and relative humidity (71%), as well as between resin entry activity and relative humidity (68%) (Table 3 ). DISCUSSION The colonies of M. scutellaris and M. quadrifasciata studied showed activity in all months of the research, but with variation in intensity, especially with more activity in November/December 2021 and April 2022. These months are characterized by high temperatures and low precipitation (Weatherspark 2023 ). Other studies on the flight activity of bees of the Melipona genus in various vegetation formations in northeastern Brazil have shown the relationship between high bee activity and the dry and/or hot season (Nascimento and Nascimento 2012 ; Maia-Silva et al. 2015 ; Mascena et al. 2018 ). In colonies of another species, Scaptotrigona depilis (Moure 1942) in the southeastern region of Brazil, the highest record of bee pollen collection occurred in February (rainy and hot season) with temperatures above 15°C (Figueiredo-Mecca et al. 2013). Thus, factors such as precipitation and temperature may influence the activities of Meliponina bees throughout the year, depending on the region where these bees are located. The daily flight activities of the two colonies of M. scutellaris and M. quadrifasciata generally occurred throughout the day. However, nest entries and exits (without apparent material) occurred sporadically throughout the day in almost all months of the study, as indicated by the absence of evidence preferred flight times (acrophases). In addition, few correlations were observed between the bees and meteorological factors. However, the activities of the three Melipona colonies began near sunrise, with low light intensity values (starting at 100 lux) and temperatures around 25°C. A similar situation occurred at the end of activities, at high temperatures and low light intensity, together with different relative humidity values, which were higher at the beginning of the activities than at the end.These environmental conditions may suggest an association between bee activities, particularly with sunrise and sunset, as well as with high temperatures. According to Maia-Silva et al. ( 2015 ), working with Melipona subnitida in a caatinga area in the northeastern semi-arid region (Mossoró-RN), these bees began flight activities with the minimum necessary light conditions, with the start of activities associated with sunrise and higher maximum temperatures linked to earlier foraging. However, our results demonstrate that the relationships between bee activities and their environmental responses differ when it comes to pollen collection versus resin collection in the three observed Melipona colonies. These activities exhibited daily patterns throughout all months, with high statistical significance, showing that the activities were concentrated at well-defined times during the day, with peaks occurring in the morning, primarily before 9:00 AM. Pollen and resin collection by Melipona bees concentrated in the morning has already been reported in the literature (Silva et al. 2011 ; Giannini et al. 2015 ), and also for other meliponines like Partamona seridoensis Pedro & Camargo 2003 (Brasil et al. 2019 ). This activity pattern was also observed in Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides Lepeletier in southeastern Brazil (SP) (Oliveira-Abreu et al. 2014 ), where the peak pollen collection activity occurred in the morning, between 8:30 and 9:50 AM, while nectar collection occurred throughout the day. This concentration of collection activities, particularly for pollen in the morning, may be related to the timing of resource availability by the plants. Authors such as Roubik ( 1989 ) and Pollato et al. (2014) suggest that bees are not stimulated to maintain a high frequency of foraging trips after the morning hours due to the scarcity of floral resources, as most angiosperms release pollen in the morning when it is more abundant. Thus, pollen is a limited resource, offered as soon as the anther opens and is not replenished throughout the day, unlike nectar. Unlike what was observed with the entry and exit activities (without apparent material), there was an influence of abiotic factors on the pollen and resin collection activities in the three Melipona colonies. For the first colony of M. scutellaris , there was a negative correlation between these activities and temperature, and a positive correlation with relative humidity. For the second colony of M. scutellaris and M. quadrifasciata , only a correlation with relative humidity was observed for these activities. Maia-Silva et al. ( 2015 ) observed that, although a direct regulatory influence of environmental factors on the external and internal activities of the Melipona subnitida colony is possible, only pollen collection was directly affected by the environment. It is well known in the literature that the external activities of bees are influenced by environmental and meteorological factors, with temperature being one of the most important due to bees being poikilothermic organisms. The influence of temperature on the flight activities of Melipona bees has been widely documented in various studies conducted in the Northeast (Nascimento et al. 2012; Gouw and Gimenes 2013 ; Maia-Silva et al. 2015 ; Macena et al. 2018) and Southeast Brazil (Oliveira-Abreu et al. 2014 ). Generally, bees of this genus tend to collect pollen and nectar within a temperature range of 20 to 37°C, with a significant reduction in activities when temperatures exceed 29°C (Oliveira-Abreu et al. 2014 ). However, our study observed little correlation between the flight activities of Melipona spp. and the temperature. This lack of correlation does not necessarily indicate an absence of temperature influence on the external activities of the bees. According to Heinrich ( 1993 ), bees living in tropical regions, where the average temperature generally ranges between 20 and 30°C, would not experience significant thermal stress. This temperature range suggested by the author is close to that found for Melipona spp. in the study area in northeastern Brazil, where temperatures varied from 20 to 34°C, which could be considered an optimal "thermal window" and may explain the absence of correlations between these activities and temperature. According to Campos et al. ( 2010 ), temperature is a determining factor for the normal functioning of bees due to their small size and high surface-to-volume ratio, making them dependent on ambient temperature. Bees initiate, increase, or decrease their foraging activities based on local weather conditions, with temperature being the main influencing factor (Roubik 1989 ). The influence of light intensity on the flight activities of Melipona bees can be observed at the beginning and end of their external activities throughout the months of the study. These Bees did not initiat their activities when light intensity was low in the morning and end their activities in the late afternoon when light also decreases, even if the temperature is still favorable for flight. This pattern suggests a direct association with sunrise and sunset for defining daily activity pattern. Previous studies support this suggestion, indicating that both temperature and light intensity are determining factors for regulating the flight activities of Melipona bees (Oliveira et al. 2012 ; Polatto et al. 2014 ). Relative humidity proved to be one of the main abiotic factors influencing the pollen and resin entry activities of M . quadrifasciata and both colonies of M. scutellaris . This relationship may be directly associated with the availability and production of these resources in the environment. Previous studies have also identified the influence of relative humidity on the external activities of Melipona bees (Xavier et al. 2020; Freitas et al. 2023 ). As noted by Maia-Silva et al. ( 2015 ), humidity (including relative humidity and precipitation) indirectly affects pollen foraging in Melipona subnitida by influencing the abundance and quality of floral resources available in the environment. The correlations between relative humidity and flight activities of tropical bees of the genus Melipona can manifest in two ways: positive or negative. The positive correlation occurs when flight activity increases with rising relative humidity, as observed in the three analyzed Melipona colonies and in other studies conducted in different regions of Brazil. For example, a positive correlation was observed for M. scutellaris in three distinct locations in northeastern Brazil (BA): transition areas between Tropical Forest and cerrado enclave, in the coastal nuclear area of distribution of the Rainforest, and in the Seasonal Semideciduous Forest area (Silva et al. 2011 ). For Melipona rufiventris Lepeletier, 1836, this correlation was also recorded in a forest area in southeastern Brazil (SP) (Fidalgo and Kleinert 2007 ), and for Melipona (Michmelia) mondury Smith, 1863, in an Atlantic Forest area in southern Brazil (SC) (Tietz et al. 2019). Generally, the foraging activities of these bees occurred within a relative humidity range of 70 to 90%. On the other hand, negative correlations between flight activity and relative humidity were observed in M . quadrifasciata in a natural habitat in the coastal Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil (SP), with activity peaks at relative humidity intervals of 60–70% (Oliveira-Abreu et al. 2014 ), and in Melipona quinquefasciata in northeastern Brazil (Macena et al. 2018). These variations indicate that the correlation between relative humidity and flight activity may depend on the occurrence area, being influenced by local conditions, vegetation composition, and seasonality. A notable point observed in this study is the regularity of the flight activity times in the three Melipona colonies, especially entry activities with pollen and resin, which are essential resources collected by the bees in the field. This regularity suggests the existence of a daily activity pattern or, more specifically, a biological rhythm. These biological rhythms are characterized by the presence of preferred activity times, called acrophases, and indicate a temporal coordination of the bees' activities. These patterns are not determined solely by external environmental factors, such as light and temperature, but may have an endogenous origin, being a manifestation of the bees' internal biological clock (Dunlap et al. 2004 ). This biological clock allows bees to adjust their daily foraging activities according to environmental conditions, optimizing resource collection by synchronizing their flight times with resource availability and minimizing competition. A central characteristic of biological rhythms is their synchronization with environmental factors, such as climatic and meteorological cycles, allowing the adaptation of bee activities to external conditions. In the case of Melipona bees, we observe that the light/dark cycle, defined by sunrise and sunset, regulates the beginning and end of daily activities, indicating a strong influence of the photoperiod on foraging rhythms. Thus, light acts as a natural synchronizer, aligning flight times with the daily cycle. In addition to the influence of the light/dark cycle, meteorological factors such as relative humidity and temperature play a crucial role in modulating or fine-tuning these biological rhythms. Relative humidity, for example, can affect the production of floral resources, such as pollen, which is available for a short period, generally in the morning, when relative humidity tends to be higher. Temperature, in turn, influences the flight activities of tropical bees within a specific range, known as the “thermal window”. Thus, the influence of factors such as light, temperature, and relative humidity on flight and foraging activities highlights the adaptive capacity of these bees to synchronize their activities with the dynamics of floral resources in the environment. This adaptation becomes essential for maintaining the energy efficiency of the colonies and for the survival of populations in tropical and subtropical environments, where climatic variations directly impact food availability. Declarations Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. All people listed as authors agreed to participate in the study and in the authorship of the manuscript. Acknowledgments This work was supported by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel - Brazil (CAPES) - Funding Code 001. We thank the Rio Seco Agroecological Center (CEARIS) and especially Professor Dr. Marina Siqueira de Castro, for the logistical support for the development of this research. 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Acess in 08.07.2023 Correia FC Da S, Peruquetti RC, Silva, AR Da, Gomes FA (2017) Influência da temperatura e umidade nas atividades de vôo de operárias de Melipona eburnea (Apidae, Meliponina). Arq Ciênc Vet Zool UNIPAR 20(2):65-70. https://doi.org/10.25110/arqvet.v20i2.5816 Correia FC Da S, Peruquetti RC, Ferreira MG (2017) Termorregulação em colônias de Melipona eburnea (Apidae: Meliponina) criadas racionalmente em Rio Branco, Acre. EntomoBrasilis 10(2):112-117. https://doi.org/10.12741/ebrasilis.v10i2.705 Duarte OMP, Gaioto FA, Costa MA (2014) Genetic Differentiation in the Stingless Bee, Scaptotrigona xanthotricha Moure, and 1950 (Apidae, Meliponini): a Species with Wide Geographic Distribution in the Atlantic Rainforest. J Hered 105(4):477-484. https://doi.org/10.1093/jhered/esu031 Dunlap JC, Loros JJ, Decoursey PJ (2004) Chronobiology: biological timekeeping. Sunderlands, Inc. Publishers Sinauer Associates. Massachusetts Ferreira R Da C, Dias F De S, Tannus C De A, Chinalia FA (2021) Essential and Potentially Toxic Elements from Brazilian Geopropolis Produced by the Stingless Bee Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides Using ICP OES. Biol Trace Elem Res 199(4):1-13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-020-02455-7 Freitas PVDX, Faquinello P, Arnholdc E, Ferro DAC, Ferro RAC, Lacerda M LG, Leite PRSC, Silva Neto CM (2023) Flight radius and climatic conditions affect the external activity of stingless bee Melipona rufiventris (Lepeletier, 1836). Braz J Biol 83:1-9. https://doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.275645 Fidalgo AO, Kleinert AMP (2007) Foraging behavior of Melipona rufiventris Lepeletier (Apinae, Meliponini) in Ubatuba/SP, Brazil. Braz J Biol 67(1):137-144. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1519-69842007000100018 Giannini TC, Boff S, Cordeiro GD, Veiga AK, Imperatriz-Fonseca VL, Saraiva AM (2015) Crop pollinators in Brazil: a review of reported interactions. Apidologie 46(2):209-223. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-014-0316-z Gonçalves RC, Marques MD (2012) Ritmos de populações: o caso das abelhas sem ferrão. Rev Biol 9(3):53-57. https://doi.org/10.7594/revbio.09.03.10 Gouw MS, Gimenes M (2013) Differences of the Daily Flight Activity Rhythm in two Neotropical Stingless Bees (Hymenoptera, Apidae). Sociobiology 60(2):183-189. https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v60i2.183-189 Gotelli NJ, Ellison AR (2011) Princípios de Estatística em Ecologia. Artmed, Porto Alegre. Heinrich B (1993) The hot-blooded insects. Strategies and mechanisms of thermoregulation. Harvard. University Press. Massachusetts Hilário S D, Imperatriz-Fonseca V L, Kleinert AMP (2000) Flight activity and colony strength in the stingless bee Melipona bicolor, bicolor (Apidae, Meliponinae). R Bras Biol 60(2):299-306. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-71082000000200014 Maia-Silva C, Imperatriz-Fonseca VL, Silva CI, Hrncir M (2014) Environmental windows for foraging activity in stingless bees, Melipona subnitida Ducke and Melipona quadrifasciata Lepeletier (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini). Sociobiology 61(4):12-29. https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v61i4.378-385 Maia-Silva C, Hrncir M, Silva CI, Imperatriz- Fonseca, VL (2015) Survival strategies of stingless bees ( Melipona subnitida ) in an unpredictable environment, the Brazilian tropical dry forest. Apidologie 46(5):631- 643. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-015-0354-1 Markus R P, Afeche SC, Barbosa Jr, ED, Lotufo CM Da C, Ferreira ZC, Cipolla Neto J (2003) Glândula pineal e melatonina. In: Marques, N; Menna-Barreto.eds. Cronobiologia: princípios e aplicações. Edusp, São Paulo, pp191-222 Mascena V M, Silva CM, Almeida CL (2018) External activity of colonies of Melipona quinquefasciata managed in different types of beehive. Rev Ciênc Agron 49(4):683-691. https://doi.org/10.5935/1806-6690.20180077 Mecca-Figueredo G, Bego LR, Nascimento, FS (2013) Foraging behavior of Scaptotrigona delipis (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini) and its relationship with temporal and abiotic factores. Sociobiology 60(3):277-282. https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v60i3.267-282 Nascimento DL, Nascimento FS (2012) Extreme effects of season on the foraging activities and colony productivity of a stingless bee ( Melipona asilvai Moure, 1971) in northeast Brazil. Psyche J Entomol 2012:1-7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/267361 Nunes LA, Passos GB; Carvalho CAL; Araujo ED (2013) Size and hape in Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides Lepeletier, 1836 (Hymenoptera;Meliponini). Braz J Biol 73(4):887-893. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1519-69842013000400027 Oliveira-Abreu C, Hilário SD, Luz CFP, Alves-Dos Santos I (2014) Pollen and nectar foraging by Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides Lepeletier (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini) in natural habitat. Sociobiology 61(4):441-448. https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v61i4.441-448 Oliveira FL, Dias VHP, Costa EM, Filgueira, MA, Sobrinho JE (2012) Influência das variações climáticas na atividade de vôo das abelhas jandairas Melipona subnitida Ducke (Meliponinae). Rev Ciênc Agron43(3):598-603. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1806-66902012000300024 Pereboom JJ, Biesmeijer JC (2003) Thermal constraints for stingless bee foragers: the importance of body size and coloration. Oecologia 137(1):42-50. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-003-1324-2 Polatto LP, Chaud-Netto J, Alves-Junior VV (2014) Influence of Abiotic Factors and Floral Resource Availability on Daily Foraging Activity of Bees: Influence of Abiotic and Biotic Factors on Bees. J Insect Behav 27(5):593-612. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10905-014-9452-6 R Core Team. R: A language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing Vienna, Austria. https://www.rproject.org. 2022 Roubik DW (1989) Ecology and natural history of tropical bees. Cambridge University Press. New York. Shanahan M, Spivak M (2021) Resin Use by Stingless Bees: A Review. Insects 12(8):1-20. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12080719 Silva M D, Ramalho M; Rosa JF (2011) Por que Melipona scutellaris (Hymenoptera, Apidae) forrageia sob alta umidade relativa do ar? Iheringia Sér Zool 101(2):131-137. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0073-47212011000100019 Silva WP, Gimenes M (2014) Pattern of the daily light acivity of Nannotrigona testaceicornis (Lepeleier) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in different conditions in the Brazilian semiarid region. Sociobiology 61(4):547-553. https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v61i4.547-553 Silva AG, Carvalho GCA, Miranda AC, Contrera FAL; Rego MMC (2021) Temporal Memory in Foraging of the Stingless bee Melipona subnitida (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini).Sociobiology68(2):5863.https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v68i2.5863 Statsoft Inc. Statistica (data analysis software system), version 10. Disponível em:www.statsoft.com. 2011. Teixeira LV; Campos FNM (2005) Início da atividade de voo em abelhas sem ferrão (Hymenoptera, Apidae):influência do tamanho da abelha e da temperatura ambiente. Rev Bras Zoociênc 7(2):195-202 Veiga JC, Menezes C, Venturieri GC; Contrera F (2012) The bigger, the smaller: relationship between body size and food stores in the stingless bee Melipona flavolineata . Apidologie 4(3):324-333. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-012-0183-4 Weatherspark 2023.. Acess in: 07. 06. 2023 Xavier De Freitas P V D, Da Silva IE, Faquinello P, Zanata, R A (2020) External activity of the stingless bee Melipona fasciculata (Smith) kept in the Brazilian Cerrado. J Apic Res (online)3(2):1-6. https://doi.org/10.1080/00218839.2020.1745436 Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Reviewers agreed at journal 11 Aug, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 11 Aug, 2025 Editor invited by journal 27 Nov, 2024 Editor assigned by journal 31 Oct, 2024 First submitted to journal 28 Oct, 2024 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-5321862","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":498512362,"identity":"5207b314-7b86-43b8-a61b-a82cc97451bc","order_by":0,"name":"Girlene Evangelista Ribeiro","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Girlene","middleName":"Evangelista","lastName":"Ribeiro","suffix":""},{"id":498512363,"identity":"9f41548e-fffa-4d7d-be39-ef1c779ce565","order_by":1,"name":"Miriam Gimenes","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA40lEQVRIiWNgGAWjYDACZgaGAwwMEhDOByBmYydFC+MMkBZmkmzkgRqCF+i28z488OOXRTS/dPPhzza/tsnzMTMwfviYg1uL2WF2g4O9fRK5M+ccS5PO7btt2MbMwCw5cxs+LWwMB3h7JHI33MgxY87tuc0I1MLGzEtAy8G/QC37b+R//mzZc9ueKC2HeX4AbZHIYZBm+HE7kTgtsg0SuTNupJlJ9jbcTm5jZmzG75fzx5g/vvlTl9s/I/nxhx9/btvOb28++OEjHi1gwNiGwmBsIKAeBP5gMEbBKBgFo2AUIAAABDNStVLXpOwAAAAASUVORK5CYII=","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6501-6623","institution":"Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Miriam","middleName":"","lastName":"Gimenes","suffix":""},{"id":498512364,"identity":"8c0ed761-d577-45f6-ab81-28bd7b528d8f","order_by":2,"name":"Elmo Borges de Azevêdo Koch","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Elmo","middleName":"Borges de Azevêdo","lastName":"Koch","suffix":""},{"id":498512365,"identity":"376d12a0-ac33-4654-8b3d-0de65d97df75","order_by":3,"name":"Antonio de Oliveira Costa Neto","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Antonio","middleName":"de Oliveira Costa","lastName":"Neto","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2024-10-24 01:24:14","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-5321862/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-5321862/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":89272314,"identity":"b301fdbb-0d1c-4fe6-a8e4-6b52c8e396c4","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-08-18 09:05:01","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":101198,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eMean values ​​of flight activities of \u003cem\u003eMelipona \u0026nbsp;quadrifasciata \u003c/em\u003ethroughout the day. The bars represent the mean and the range above the bars the standard deviation (considering the 12 observation events for each time), at CEARIS-UEFS, Amélia Rodrigues, Bahia.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5321862/v1/e093435132fcdf254214e468.png"},{"id":89272313,"identity":"3bf12f0f-377f-4945-a82f-32ec02ebe695","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-08-18 09:05:01","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":143807,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eMean values of flight activities of \u003cem\u003eMelipona \u0026nbsp;scutellaris\u003c/em\u003e(colony 1 and colony 2) throughout the day. The bars represent the mean and the range above the bars the standard deviation (considering the 12 observation events for each time), at CEARIS-UEFS, Amélia Rodrigues, Bahia.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5321862/v1/c568451a6c7c70831e125dc5.png"},{"id":89274014,"identity":"e6580f60-f17a-48ea-9780-edba23f66c5f","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-08-18 09:13:06","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1047995,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5321862/v1/41245584-38f5-492d-a23f-f5e2cfacd853.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"","formattedTitle":"Daily flight activity pattern and the influence of abiotics factors of two Melipona species","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eStingless bees (Apidae, Apinae, Meliponina) constitute a group of bees with atrophied stinger and highly eusocial behavior, distributed in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide (Maia-Silva et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e). In Brazil, they play an important ecological and social role, especially in the northeastern semi-arid region, as they are responsible for pollinating native trees as well as economically important agricultural crops (Nunes et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e; Maia-Silva et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSince pollinating or foraging activities of bees generally occur in a dynamic environment, certain adjustments of these activities to the numerous changes in biotic and abiotic components of the environment are necessary (Polatto et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e). Environmental changes cause organisms to oscillate to achieve an \"adjustment\" of activities with environmental and climatic cycles, as organisms must be prepared for the phases (favorable and unfavorable) to which they are subjected under environmental and climatic cycles (Markus et al.2003). Abiotic factors influence the behavior and, consequently, the daily flight activity of bees, especially in eusocial species of the genus \u003cem\u003eMelipona\u003c/em\u003e, with temperature, relative humidity, and light intensity being the major atmospheric factors that affect these activities (Oliveira et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eStudies on bees of the Meliponina subtribe have shown that during cooler temperatures, bees initiate flight activity later, whereas at higher temperatures, bees initiate flight activity earlier and more intensely (Mecca-Figueredo and Nascimento 2013; Mascena et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). By directly affecting the energetic cost used to regulate body temperature during bee flight, temperature is the factor that most influences bee foraging activities, as about 80% of the energy metabolized by muscles is lost as heat (Roubik \u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1989\u003c/span\u003e). Relative humidity also can determine the times of flight activity in the \u003cem\u003eMelipona\u003c/em\u003e genus, so that external activities can occur more intensively under high relative humidity, especially in the morning, apparently avoiding lower humidities throughout the day (Silva et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e; Oliveira et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e). Light intensity aids bees in orienting themselves in search of floral resources during flight activity (Polatto et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e). In \u003cem\u003eMelipona quinquefasciata\u003c/em\u003e Lepeletier, 1836, sunlight intensity was fundamentally related to flight activity and correlated positively with the flow of bees entering or leaving the nest with apparent material and without material, serving as a trigger for the beginning and end of activities, with no flow occurring without light (Mascena et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). Other factors can also influence the external activities of Meliponina bees such as internal colony demands (population size, developmental stage), and the availability of floral resources (Maia-Silva et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e; Oliveira-Abreu et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSeveral studies on stingless bees (Meliponina) are based on daily foraging activity (Correia et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). These studies address the external activity of bees according to the time of entry and exit of bees from the colony, with or without apparent material, during a certain period, in which patterns of daily bee flight activity can be detected and influenced by meteorological and environmental factors (Gouw and Gimenes \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e; Duarte et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e; Silva and Gimenes \u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e; Barbosa et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e; Correia 2017; Xavier et al. 2020).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBased on the importance of the daily flight activities of \u003cem\u003eMelipona\u003c/em\u003e bees and the factors that can influence these activities, this study aimed to investigate the external daily activities of \u003cem\u003eMelipona quadrifasciata\u003c/em\u003e Lepeletier, 1836 and \u003cem\u003eMelipona scutellaris\u003c/em\u003e Latreille, 1811 by assessing the presence or absence of flight activity patterns throughout the day in different months of the year and also the influence of meteorological factors on these activities.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Materials and Methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eStudy area\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe field study was conducted at the Rio Seco Agroecology Center (CEARIS), located in the municipality of Am\u0026eacute;lia Rodrigues in an ecotone area between the Atlantic Forest and Caatinga biomes (12\u0026deg;24'4''S, 38\u0026deg;45'18''W) (Ferreira et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). The climate of the area is classified as Tropical (Aw) (Alvares et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e). Macroclimatic data (temperature and rainfall) were obtained for Feira de Santana, located 29 km from the study area (Weatherspark \u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e), in which the rainiest months were from April to July and the dry period from September to February. The average annual temperature ranges from 18\u0026deg;C (July) to 35\u0026deg;C (January), with the highest average temperatures occurring between October and April (Weatherspark \u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSampling design and collection of bee data\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eObservations of the bees' daily activities were repeated at four times: in November/December/21 (at the end of November and beginning of December), February/22, April/22, and June/22, on three consecutive days, from 5:00 to 18:00 h (from sunrise to sunset), at 15-minute intervals per hour for each colony, with two colonies being selected of M. \u003cem\u003escutellaris\u003c/em\u003e and one of M. \u003cem\u003equadrifasciata\u003c/em\u003e. During the observations, quantifications were made of bees entering and exiting (entry and exit) in the nest (without carrying apparent material), entry with pollen, entry with resin.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTo determine the influence of climatic and meteorological factors on bee flight activity, records of temperature, relative humidity, and light intensity were made at hourly intervals during the observations. These records were made with a digital thermohygrometer installed beside the bee colony, one meter above the ground. Light intensity (illuminance) was measured using a digital luxmeter placed approximately one meter above the ground. Two measurements of light intensity were taken: one at the colony entrance and another in the nearest open area to the colony.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eStatistical analyzes\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo analyze the patterns of daily flight activities of the \u003cem\u003eMelipona\u003c/em\u003e species, the Circular Statistics method was applied, using the Rayleigh test for activities whose daily values greater than 10 during the study months. A value of r-vector greater than or equal to 0.7 was considered significant for the analysis.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTo compare the similarities and differences in activities among the studied colonies, the Kruskal-Wallis test was performed. To verify the existence of significant differences between behavioral variations in the three colonies, analysis of variance was conducted using the Tukey test at a 5% significance level. All mean analyses were performed using Statistica software version 10 (Statsoft 2011).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTo determine the influence of meteorological factors on the daily flight activities of the \u003cem\u003eMelipona\u003c/em\u003e species, correlation was as performed, with the different colony activities (entries, entries with pollen, entries with resin and exits) being the dependent variable. The independent variables tested were temperature, relative humidity, colony light intensity, and area light intensity. For the analysis, we considered the average number of observations of the activity variables, considering the 12 observation events for each time. The average value of each environmental variable was also calculated considering the 12 observation events. These average values ​​of the activity and environmental variables were then correlated. These analyses were conducted using R software version 4.2.2 (R Core Team 2023).\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003eDuring the observations of flight activities of \u003cem\u003eM. quadrifasciata\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eM. scutellaris\u003c/em\u003e in the study area the daily temperature ranged from 20\u0026deg;C (between 5:00 and 6:00 h in June/22) to 34\u0026deg;C (at 10:00 h in February/22). Relative humidity ranged from 42% (at 10:00 h in February/22) to 88% (at 6:00 h in June/22), the light intensity at the colony entrance ranged from 110 lux (at 5:00 h in June/22) to 7630 lux (11:00 h in February/22). The light intensity in the open area ranged from 140 lux (18:00 h in April/22) to 98,800 lux (11:00 h in June/22).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRegarding the total number of observed bees, colonies 1 and 2 of \u003cem\u003eM. scutellaris\u003c/em\u003e showed a similar total activity number over the observed months (around 1500 records each), while \u003cem\u003eM. quadrifasciata\u003c/em\u003e showed a higher number (2604 records), confirmed by statistical analysis. The two colonies of \u003cem\u003eM. scutellaris\u003c/em\u003e showed similar activity averages and differed from \u003cem\u003eM. quadrifasciata\u003c/em\u003e (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). Colonies \u003cem\u003eM. scutellaris\u003c/em\u003e 1 and \u003cem\u003eM. quadrifasciata\u003c/em\u003e showed higher total activity (entries\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;exits) in the months of November/December/21 and April/22 and lower in June/22, and \u003cem\u003eM. scutellaris\u003c/em\u003e 2 showed the highest activity in April/22 and the lowest in February/22, with the rainy season in the study region generally occurring from April to July and the dry period from September to February.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAverage number of activities of \u003cem\u003eM. scutellaris\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eM. quadrifasciata\u003c/em\u003e colonies, in the months of November/December/21, February/22, April/22, and June/22, at CEARIS-UEFS, Am\u0026eacute;lia Rodrigues, Bahia.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eColony\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eActivity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEntry\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eExit\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEntry with polen\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eM. Scutellaris 1\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.33 b*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.28 b\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.20 a b\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eM. Scutellaris\u003c/em\u003e 2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.55 b\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.58 b\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.83 b\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eM. Quadrifasciata\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8.32 a\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7.68 a\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.71 a\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"4\"\u003e* Equal letters in the same column indicate that the means do not differ significantly by the Kruskal-Wallis test at a 95% confidence level. (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;0,05).\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRegarding the daily flight activities of \u003cem\u003eM. scutellaris\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eM. quadrifasciata\u003c/em\u003e, the mean test revealed that for entry, \u003cem\u003eM. quadrifasciata\u003c/em\u003e showed higher activity compared to the other two colonies, the same was observed for exit and entry with pollen, but for this last activity did not differ significantly from \u003cem\u003eM. scutellaris\u003c/em\u003e 1 (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDaily Activities\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe daily activities of \u003cem\u003eMelipona\u003c/em\u003e spp. began at 5:00 a.m. during all months of the study (Figs.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e and \u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e), with temperature ranging from 22\u0026deg;C (June) to 28\u0026deg;C (November/December) and an average of 25\u0026deg;C. Relative humidity varied from 73% (February) to 88% (June), with an average of 78%. Light intensity ranged from 113 lux (June) to 877 lux (February) at the colony entrance and from 218 lux (June) to 8,270 lux (February) in open areas. Activities generally ended around 6:00 p.m. in all three colonies studied (Figs.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e and \u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). Temperatures at the end of activities ranged from 25\u0026deg;C (June) to 31\u0026deg;C (November/December), with an average of 28\u0026deg;C. Relative humidity varied from 54% (November/December) to 71% (June), with an average of 62%. Light intensity ranged from 119 lux (June) to 1,140 lux (February) in the colony area and from 140 lux (April) to 6,290 lux (November/December) in open areas.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRegarding external activities for entry and exit in \u003cem\u003eM. quadrifasciata\u003c/em\u003e (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e) and \u003cem\u003eM. scutellaris\u003c/em\u003e (no apparent material) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e) these activities occurred more dispersed throughout the day, with a slight increase between 6:00 and 12:00 h. The results obtained with Circular Statistics analysis allowed for the analysis of the data of daily activities with greater precision. Based on these analyses Statistics analysis, significant mean angle (or preferential times, Acrophases) were observed throughout the day for the activities of entry and exit (without visible material), ranging from 8:17 (\u003cem\u003eM. scutellaris\u003c/em\u003e 2) to 9:09 h (\u003cem\u003eM. quadrifasciata\u003c/em\u003e) in November/December, with significant r values, despite the varying number of total activities between the \u003cem\u003eM. scutellaris\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eM. quadrifasciata\u003c/em\u003e colonies. In other months, the activity of entry and exit (without visible material) showed fewer significant results regarding acrophase, ranging from 8:35 to 9:26 h in February, from 9:05 to 9:34 h in April, and from 9:28 to 9:39 h in June. Generally, these activities occurred earlier for the two \u003cem\u003eM. scutellaris\u003c/em\u003e colonies and later for \u003cem\u003eM. quadrifasciata\u003c/em\u003e. These activities generally presented acrophases at times before 10:00 h (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eValues of the mean preferred times and the vector (r) for entry and exit activities (without apparent material) and pollen entry activities of \u003cem\u003eMelipona scutellaris\u003c/em\u003e colonies (1 and 2) and \u003cem\u003eMelipona quadrifasciata\u003c/em\u003e (3) in the months of November/December/21, February/22, April/22, and June/22, at CEARIS-UEFS, Am\u0026eacute;lia Rodrigues, Bahia.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"9\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCol\u0026ocirc;nia/M\u0026ecirc;s\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEntry\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(N)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEntry\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003er\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eExit\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(N)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eExit\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003er\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePollen\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(N)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePollen\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003er\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eResin\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(N)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eResin\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003er\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1- Nov/dec\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8:28\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(156)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,703\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8:20*\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(126)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,687*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7:44\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(73)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,886\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7:42(71)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,912\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2 - Nov/dec\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8:17\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(139)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,724\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8:19\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(167)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,703\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7:51\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(48)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,918\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7:54\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(63)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,924\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3 - Nov/dec\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9:09\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(340)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,735\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8:48\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(394)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,749\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8:18\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(104)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,853\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8:20\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(126)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,809\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1 - Feb\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8:35\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(142)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,745\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9:12*\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(143)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,634*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7:19\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(43)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,947\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7:50\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(30)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,938\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2 - Feb\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9:34*\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(130)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,613*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8:49*\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(108)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,664*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7:48\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(20)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,981\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7:59\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(10)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,946\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3 - Feb\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9:26\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(232)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,713\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9:03\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(228)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,70\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8:06\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(59)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,826\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8:07\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(51)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,951\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1 - Apr\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10:14*\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(188)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,607*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9:53*\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(166)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,60*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e6:55\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(30)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,880\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7:09\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(20)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,885\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2 - Apr\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9:45*\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(247)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,685*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9:34\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(252)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,708\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e6:45\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(30)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,980\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7:05\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(20)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,975\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3 - Apr\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9:30*\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(170)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,624*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9:05\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(308)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,715\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e7:52\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(56)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,856\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7:54\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(22)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,703\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1 - Jun\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9:39\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(136)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,710\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9:28\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(115)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,727\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e8:15\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(25)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,808\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7:29\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(10)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,944\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2 - Jun\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9:41*\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(193)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,682*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9:28\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(154)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,727\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e7:51\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(20)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,965\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7:17\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(10)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,966\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3 - Jun\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9:34*\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(150)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,644*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e9:56*\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(128)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,629*\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e8:34\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e(27)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,905\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7:09\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e(18)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0,951\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003ctfoot\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"9\"\u003e* Mean vector (r) values not significant (below 0.7)\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tfoot\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEntry with pollen and entry with resin in the three colonies showed more regularity in timing than the other two activities, occurring in the morning, from 6:00 to 9:00 h (Figs.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e and \u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). Furthermore, higher r-vector values (circular statistics) were observed, indicating a concentration of this activity at a specific time of day (acrophase value) in all the months analyzed. The acrophases varied little for pollen entry, occurring from 7:44 to 8:18 h in November/December, from 7:19 to 8:06 h in February, from 6:45 to 7:52 h in April, and from 8:15 to 8:34 h in June. Pollen entry activities consistently occurred earlier for both colonies of \u003cem\u003eM\u003c/em\u003e. \u003cem\u003escutellaris\u003c/em\u003e and later for \u003cem\u003eM. quadrifasciata\u003c/em\u003e. These activities occurred earlier in April and later in June, though with little difference, ranging from 6:45 (April) to 8:34 (June) during all observations (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe acrophases for resin entry varied little, occurring from 7:42 to 8:20 h in November/December, from 7:50 to 8:07 h in February, from 7:05 to 7:54 h in April, and from 7:09 to 7:29 h in June. These acrophases generally occurred earlier for both colonies of \u003cem\u003eM. scutellaris\u003c/em\u003e and later for \u003cem\u003eM. quadrifasciata\u003c/em\u003e. During the months of November/December, February, and April, the times corresponding to acrophases for pollen and resin entry for the three observed colonies were very close, but in June resin entry occurred earlier than pollen entry. However, the latest observed time for both activities was around 8:30 h (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRegarding the correlations between colony activities and environmental variables, no significant correlations were observed for \u003cem\u003eM. quadrifasciata\u003c/em\u003e between colony entry and exit activities and the evaluated environmental variables (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). Most environmental variables showed no correlation with the activities measured. However, a moderate positive correlation was found between pollen entry activity and relative humidity (58%), as well as between resin entry activity and relative humidity (65%) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eResults obtained from the correlations between the different activity variables and environmental variables involving the bee colonies evaluated at CEARIS-UEFS, Am\u0026eacute;lia Rodrigues, Bahia. Correlations that were significant are highlighted in bold.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"7\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSpecies\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eActivity variable\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEnvironmental variable\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ep value\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003er\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eM. quadrifasciata\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEntries\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperature\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.357\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.29\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHumidity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.114\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.47\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eColony light intensity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.104\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.49\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eArea light intensity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.196\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.40\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEntries with pollen\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperature\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.182\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.41\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHumidity\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.045\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.58\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eColony light intensity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.373\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.28\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eArea light intensity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.243\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.36\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEntries with resin\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperature\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.090\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.50\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHumidity\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.020\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.653\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eColony light intensity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.636\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.152\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eArea light intensity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.544\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.194\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eExits\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperature\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.285\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.33\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHumidity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.077\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.53\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eColony light intensity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.169\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.42\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eArea light intensity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.191\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.40\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eM. scutellaris\u003c/em\u003e col. 1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEntries\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperature\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.239\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.36\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHumidity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.063\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.55\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eColony light intensity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.591\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eArea light intensity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.379\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.27\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEntries with pollen\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTemperature\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.012\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e-0.69\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHumidity\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.001\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.82\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eColony light intensity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.754\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.10\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eArea light intensity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.712\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEntries with resin\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTemperature\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.011\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e-0.70\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHumidity\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.84\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eColony light intensity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.656\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.14\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eArea light intensity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.769\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.09\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eExits\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperature\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.077\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.53\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHumidity\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.013\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.69\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eColony light intensity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.725\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eArea light intensity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.597\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.16\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eM. scutellaris\u003c/em\u003e col. 2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEntries\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperature\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.371\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.28\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHumidity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.232\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.37\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eColony light intensity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.766\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.09\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eArea light intensity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.891\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0,04\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEntries with pollen\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperature\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.057\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0,56\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHumidity\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.009\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.71\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eColony light intensity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.971\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0,01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eArea light intensity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.595\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.17\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEntries with resin\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperature\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.075\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0,53\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHumidity\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.015\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.68\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eColony light intensity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.980\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.01\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eArea light intensity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.627\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.15\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eExits\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperature\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.265\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.34\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHumidity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.167\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.42\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eColony light intensity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.811\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.07\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eArea light intensity\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.726\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e-0.11\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen analyzing the first colony of \u003cem\u003eM. scutellaris\u003c/em\u003e, no significant correlations were found between colony entry activity and environmental variables. A moderate positive correlation was observed between colony exit activity and relative humidity (69%). Additionally, strong positive correlations were found between relative humidity and both pollen entry (82%) and resin entry (84%) activities. Conversely, moderate negative correlations were observed between these activities and temperature (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFinally, for the second colony of \u003cem\u003eM. scutellaris\u003c/em\u003e, a pattern similar to that of \u003cem\u003eM. quadrifasciata\u003c/em\u003e was observed: a moderate positive correlation was found between pollen entry activity and relative humidity (71%), as well as between resin entry activity and relative humidity (68%) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"DISCUSSION","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe colonies of \u003cem\u003eM. scutellaris\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eM. quadrifasciata\u003c/em\u003e studied showed activity in all months of the research, but with variation in intensity, especially with more activity in November/December 2021 and April 2022. These months are characterized by high temperatures and low precipitation (Weatherspark \u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). Other studies on the flight activity of bees of the \u003cem\u003eMelipona\u003c/em\u003e genus in various vegetation formations in northeastern Brazil have shown the relationship between high bee activity and the dry and/or hot season (Nascimento and Nascimento \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e; Maia-Silva et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e; Mascena et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). In colonies of another species, Scaptotrigona depilis (Moure 1942) in the southeastern region of Brazil, the highest record of bee pollen collection occurred in February (rainy and hot season) with temperatures above 15\u0026deg;C (Figueiredo-Mecca et al. 2013). Thus, factors such as precipitation and temperature may influence the activities of Meliponina bees throughout the year, depending on the region where these bees are located.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe daily flight activities of the two colonies of M. \u003cem\u003escutellaris\u003c/em\u003e and M. \u003cem\u003equadrifasciata\u003c/em\u003e generally occurred throughout the day. However, nest entries and exits (without apparent material) occurred sporadically throughout the day in almost all months of the study, as indicated by the absence of evidence preferred flight times (acrophases). In addition, few correlations were observed between the bees and meteorological factors. However, the activities of the three \u003cem\u003eMelipona\u003c/em\u003e colonies began near sunrise, with low light intensity values (starting at 100 lux) and temperatures around 25\u0026deg;C. A similar situation occurred at the end of activities, at high temperatures and low light intensity, together with different relative humidity values, which were higher at the beginning of the activities than at the end.These environmental conditions may suggest an association between bee activities, particularly with sunrise and sunset, as well as with high temperatures. According to Maia-Silva et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e), working with \u003cem\u003eMelipona subnitida\u003c/em\u003e in a caatinga area in the northeastern semi-arid region (Mossor\u0026oacute;-RN), these bees began flight activities with the minimum necessary light conditions, with the start of activities associated with sunrise and higher maximum temperatures linked to earlier foraging.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHowever, our results demonstrate that the relationships between bee activities and their environmental responses differ when it comes to pollen collection versus resin collection in the three observed \u003cem\u003eMelipona\u003c/em\u003e colonies. These activities exhibited daily patterns throughout all months, with high statistical significance, showing that the activities were concentrated at well-defined times during the day, with peaks occurring in the morning, primarily before 9:00 AM. Pollen and resin collection by \u003cem\u003eMelipona\u003c/em\u003e bees concentrated in the morning has already been reported in the literature (Silva et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e; Giannini et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e), and also for other meliponines like Partamona seridoensis Pedro \u0026amp; Camargo 2003 (Brasil et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). This activity pattern was also observed in \u003cem\u003eMelipona quadrifasciata\u003c/em\u003e anthidioides Lepeletier in southeastern Brazil (SP) (Oliveira-Abreu et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e), where the peak pollen collection activity occurred in the morning, between 8:30 and 9:50 AM, while nectar collection occurred throughout the day.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis concentration of collection activities, particularly for pollen in the morning, may be related to the timing of resource availability by the plants. Authors such as Roubik (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1989\u003c/span\u003e) and Pollato et al. (2014) suggest that bees are not stimulated to maintain a high frequency of foraging trips after the morning hours due to the scarcity of floral resources, as most angiosperms release pollen in the morning when it is more abundant. Thus, pollen is a limited resource, offered as soon as the anther opens and is not replenished throughout the day, unlike nectar.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eUnlike what was observed with the entry and exit activities (without apparent material), there was an influence of abiotic factors on the pollen and resin collection activities in the three \u003cem\u003eMelipona\u003c/em\u003e colonies. For the first colony of M. \u003cem\u003escutellaris\u003c/em\u003e, there was a negative correlation between these activities and temperature, and a positive correlation with relative humidity. For the second colony of M. \u003cem\u003escutellaris\u003c/em\u003e and M. \u003cem\u003equadrifasciata\u003c/em\u003e, only a correlation with relative humidity was observed for these activities. Maia-Silva et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e) observed that, although a direct regulatory influence of environmental factors on the external and internal activities of the \u003cem\u003eMelipona subnitida\u003c/em\u003e colony is possible, only pollen collection was directly affected by the environment.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt is well known in the literature that the external activities of bees are influenced by environmental and meteorological factors, with temperature being one of the most important due to bees being poikilothermic organisms. The influence of temperature on the flight activities of \u003cem\u003eMelipona\u003c/em\u003e bees has been widely documented in various studies conducted in the Northeast (Nascimento et al. 2012; Gouw and Gimenes \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e; Maia-Silva et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e; Macena et al. 2018) and Southeast Brazil (Oliveira-Abreu et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e). Generally, bees of this genus tend to collect pollen and nectar within a temperature range of 20 to 37\u0026deg;C, with a significant reduction in activities when temperatures exceed 29\u0026deg;C (Oliveira-Abreu et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHowever, our study observed little correlation between the flight activities of \u003cem\u003eMelipona\u003c/em\u003e spp. and the temperature. This lack of correlation does not necessarily indicate an absence of temperature influence on the external activities of the bees. According to Heinrich (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1993\u003c/span\u003e), bees living in tropical regions, where the average temperature generally ranges between 20 and 30\u0026deg;C, would not experience significant thermal stress. This temperature range suggested by the author is close to that found for \u003cem\u003eMelipona\u003c/em\u003e spp. in the study area in northeastern Brazil, where temperatures varied from 20 to 34\u0026deg;C, which could be considered an optimal \"thermal window\" and may explain the absence of correlations between these activities and temperature. According to Campos et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e), temperature is a determining factor for the normal functioning of bees due to their small size and high surface-to-volume ratio, making them dependent on ambient temperature. Bees initiate, increase, or decrease their foraging activities based on local weather conditions, with temperature being the main influencing factor (Roubik \u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1989\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe influence of light intensity on the flight activities of \u003cem\u003eMelipona\u003c/em\u003e bees can be observed at the beginning and end of their external activities throughout the months of the study. These Bees did not initiat their activities when light intensity was low in the morning and end their activities in the late afternoon when light also decreases, even if the temperature is still favorable for flight. This pattern suggests a direct association with sunrise and sunset for defining daily activity pattern. Previous studies support this suggestion, indicating that both temperature and light intensity are determining factors for regulating the flight activities of \u003cem\u003eMelipona\u003c/em\u003e bees (Oliveira et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e; Polatto et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRelative humidity proved to be one of the main abiotic factors influencing the pollen and resin entry activities of \u003cem\u003eM\u003c/em\u003e. \u003cem\u003equadrifasciata\u003c/em\u003e and both colonies of \u003cem\u003eM. scutellaris\u003c/em\u003e. This relationship may be directly associated with the availability and production of these resources in the environment. Previous studies have also identified the influence of relative humidity on the external activities of \u003cem\u003eMelipona\u003c/em\u003e bees (Xavier et al. 2020; Freitas et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). As noted by Maia-Silva et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e), humidity (including relative humidity and precipitation) indirectly affects pollen foraging in \u003cem\u003eMelipona subnitida\u003c/em\u003e by influencing the abundance and quality of floral resources available in the environment.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe correlations between relative humidity and flight activities of tropical bees of the genus \u003cem\u003eMelipona\u003c/em\u003e can manifest in two ways: positive or negative. The positive correlation occurs when flight activity increases with rising relative humidity, as observed in the three analyzed \u003cem\u003eMelipona\u003c/em\u003e colonies and in other studies conducted in different regions of Brazil. For example, a positive correlation was observed for \u003cem\u003eM. scutellaris\u003c/em\u003e in three distinct locations in northeastern Brazil (BA): transition areas between Tropical Forest and cerrado enclave, in the coastal nuclear area of distribution of the Rainforest, and in the Seasonal Semideciduous Forest area (Silva et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e). For \u003cem\u003eMelipona rufiventris\u003c/em\u003e Lepeletier, 1836, this correlation was also recorded in a forest area in southeastern Brazil (SP) (Fidalgo and Kleinert \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e), and for \u003cem\u003eMelipona (Michmelia) mondury\u003c/em\u003e Smith, 1863, in an Atlantic Forest area in southern Brazil (SC) (Tietz et al. 2019). Generally, the foraging activities of these bees occurred within a relative humidity range of 70 to 90%.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOn the other hand, negative correlations between flight activity and relative humidity were observed in \u003cem\u003eM\u003c/em\u003e. \u003cem\u003equadrifasciata\u003c/em\u003e in a natural habitat in the coastal Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil (SP), with activity peaks at relative humidity intervals of 60\u0026ndash;70% (Oliveira-Abreu et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e), and in \u003cem\u003eMelipona quinquefasciata\u003c/em\u003e in northeastern Brazil (Macena et al. 2018). These variations indicate that the correlation between relative humidity and flight activity may depend on the occurrence area, being influenced by local conditions, vegetation composition, and seasonality.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA notable point observed in this study is the regularity of the flight activity times in the three \u003cem\u003eMelipona\u003c/em\u003e colonies, especially entry activities with pollen and resin, which are essential resources collected by the bees in the field. This regularity suggests the existence of a daily activity pattern or, more specifically, a biological rhythm. These biological rhythms are characterized by the presence of preferred activity times, called acrophases, and indicate a temporal coordination of the bees' activities. These patterns are not determined solely by external environmental factors, such as light and temperature, but may have an endogenous origin, being a manifestation of the bees' internal biological clock (Dunlap et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2004\u003c/span\u003e). This biological clock allows bees to adjust their daily foraging activities according to environmental conditions, optimizing resource collection by synchronizing their flight times with resource availability and minimizing competition.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA central characteristic of biological rhythms is their synchronization with environmental factors, such as climatic and meteorological cycles, allowing the adaptation of bee activities to external conditions. In the case of \u003cem\u003eMelipona\u003c/em\u003e bees, we observe that the light/dark cycle, defined by sunrise and sunset, regulates the beginning and end of daily activities, indicating a strong influence of the photoperiod on foraging rhythms. Thus, light acts as a natural synchronizer, aligning flight times with the daily cycle. In addition to the influence of the light/dark cycle, meteorological factors such as relative humidity and temperature play a crucial role in modulating or fine-tuning these biological rhythms.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRelative humidity, for example, can affect the production of floral resources, such as pollen, which is available for a short period, generally in the morning, when relative humidity tends to be higher. Temperature, in turn, influences the flight activities of tropical bees within a specific range, known as the \u0026ldquo;thermal window\u0026rdquo;. Thus, the influence of factors such as light, temperature, and relative humidity on flight and foraging activities highlights the adaptive capacity of these bees to synchronize their activities with the dynamics of floral resources in the environment. This adaptation becomes essential for maintaining the energy efficiency of the colonies and for the survival of populations in tropical and subtropical environments, where climatic variations directly impact food availability.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003eConflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll people listed as authors agreed to participate in the study and in the authorship of the manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAcknowledgments\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis work was supported by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel - Brazil (CAPES) - Funding Code 001. We thank the Rio Seco Agroecological Center (CEARIS) and especially Professor Dr. Marina Siqueira de Castro, for the logistical support for the development of this research.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlvares CA, Stape JL, Sentelhas PC, Gon\u0026ccedil;alves JL De M, Sparovek G (2014) K\u0026ouml;ppen\u0026rsquo;s climate classification map for Brazil. Meteorol Z (online)22:(6)711-728. https://doi.org/10.1127/0941-2948/2013/0507\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBarbosa FM, Campos LA De O, Paix\u0026atilde;o JF, Alves RM De O (2016) Foraging pattern and harvesting of resources of subterranean stingless bee \u003cem\u003eGeotrigona subterranea\u003c/em\u003e (Friese, 1901) (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini). 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J Apic Res (online)3(2):1-6. https://doi.org/10.1080/00218839.2020.1745436\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"international-journal-of-tropical-insect-science","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"jtis","sideBox":"Learn more about [International Journal of Tropical Insect Science](http://link.springer.com/journal/42690)","snPcode":"42690","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/jtis/default2.aspx","title":"International Journal of Tropical Insect Science","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false},"keywords":"Biological rhythm, meliponines, Melipona quadrifasciata, Melipona scutellaris","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-5321862/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-5321862/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eClimatic conditions influence the behavior and, consequently, the daily flight activity of bees, especially in eusocial species of the genus \u003cem\u003eMelipona\u003c/em\u003e. This study aimed to investigate the daily flight activities of \u003cem\u003eMelipona quadrifasciata\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eMelipona scutellaris\u003c/em\u003e by evaluating the presence or absence of flight activity patterns throughout the day in different months of the year, as well as to verify the influence of abiotic factors on these activities. The field research took place at CEARIS, BA, over a period of four months. The study revealed that colonies of \u003cem\u003eM. scutellaris\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eM. quadrifasciata\u003c/em\u003e showed more intense activities during months of high temperature and low precipitation. Temperature and the light/dark cycle were important factors, influencing the start and end of these bees' daily activities, which tended to begin with sunlight and temperatures around 25\u0026deg;C. The collection of pollen and resin was concentrated in the morning, suggesting a strong correlation between the availability of these resources by plants and abiotics factors such as temperature and especially relative humidity. Daily activity patterns were observed, suggesting a biological rhythm of the bees, which may be influenced by environmental factors such as the light/dark cycle and local meteorological conditions. Additionally, the thermal window of 20 to 34\u0026deg;C observed may have masked the temperature influences on the bees' external activities, as these tropical organisms are adapted to such conditions.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Daily flight activity pattern and the influence of abiotics factors of two Melipona species","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-08-18 09:04:56","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-5321862/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"","date":"2025-08-11T16:01:12+00:00","index":0,"fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-08-11T05:31:22+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"International Journal of Tropical Insect Science","date":"2024-11-27T07:32:30+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2024-10-31T04:40:12+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"International Journal of Tropical Insect Science","date":"2024-10-28T13:36:38+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"international-journal-of-tropical-insect-science","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"jtis","sideBox":"Learn more about [International Journal of Tropical Insect Science](http://link.springer.com/journal/42690)","snPcode":"42690","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/jtis/default2.aspx","title":"International Journal of Tropical Insect Science","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"c0524660-f47b-43a4-b033-da1e5dd51579","owner":[],"postedDate":"August 18th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-08-18T09:04:56+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-08-18 09:04:56","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-5321862","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-5321862","identity":"rs-5321862","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}