Free Access
| Issue |
Apidologie
Volume 31, Number 1, January-Febuary 2000
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Page(s) | 81 - 91 | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/apido:2000108 | |
DOI: 10.1051/apido:2000108
Apidologie 31 (2000) 81-91
Recruitment behavior in stingless bees, Melipona scutellaris and M. quadrifasciata. I. Foraging at food sources differing in direction and distance
Stefan Jarau
,
Michael Hrncir
,
Ronaldo Zucchi
,
Friedrich G. Barth
Universität Wien, Biozentrum, Institut für Zoologie, Abteilung Physiologie -
Neurobiologie, Althanstraße 14, A-1090 Wien, Austria
Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Filosofia e Letras, Departamento de
Biologia 14040-901 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
(Received 28 April 1999; revised 6 September 1999; accepted 22 September 1999)
Abstract:
The two stingless bee species Melipona scutellaris and M. quadrifasciata recruit
nestmates to a rich foraging site. We tested this with feeders up to 140 m away from the
hive. Foragers of M. scutellaris communicated direction (up to 140 m) more accurately
than distance (up to 30 m) whereas those of M. quadrifasciata communicated direction
only up to 30 m and distance up to 40 m. Our data indicate that in both species recruitment
is divided into two temporal phases. Whereas in an initial phase alarmed nestmates search for
food at random, bees leaving the hive in the following phase are obviously provided with
information about its specific location. As a consequence after 35 minutes (M.
scutellaris) and 85 minutes (M. quadrifasciata), respectively, significantly more
newcomers arrive at the feeder than at an identical control feeder. The differences found in
the recruitment success of M. scutellaris and M. quadrifasciata are discussed in
regard to the different demands of their natural habitats.
stingless bee / foraging / recruitment / direction and distance communication / Melipona species
Correspondence and reprints: Friedrich G. Barth
friedrich.g.barth@univie.ac.at
Copyright INRA/DIB/AGIB/EDP Sciences