Daily foraging activity of the Maya bee (Melipona beecheii) in Chetumal, México.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Daily foraging activity of the Maya bee (Melipona beecheii) in Chetumal, México.
Authors: Carlos Di Trani, Juan1, Añino, Yostin2,3
Source: Journal of Animal Behavior & Biometeorology. Jan2025, Vol. 13 Issue 1, p1-10. 10p.
Document Type: Article
Subjects: Mayas, Foraging behavior, Honeybee behavior, Bee pollen, Bees, Honeybees
Author-Supplied Keywords: foraging
honey bees
maya bees
nectar
pollen
Abstract: The Maya bee, Melipona beecheii, has been an integral part of Mayan culture on the Yucatan Peninsula for several centuries. In the present study, we explore the daily food-foraging behavior of M. beecheii during the year and compare its foraging behavior during summer and winter with the foraging behavior of honeybees during the same periods in the Yucatan Peninsula. Annual behavior showed a remarkable tendency toward pollen foraging during the early hours of the day, whereas nectar foraging peaked at midday. Factors such as season, resource, and hour significantly influence the daily activity of M. beecheii and A. mellifera. We detected noticeable differences in foraging behavior between summer and winter in both Maya bees and honeybees. Honeybees preferred foraging earlier pollen during winter and nectar during summer, whereas Maya bees preferred foraging pollen earlier during summer. Finally, we observed that both bee species made far more foraging trips during winter than in summer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of Animal Behavior & Biometeorology is the property of Journal of Animal Behavior & Biometeorology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Author Affiliations: 1Centro de Investigaciones Agroecológicas del Pacífico Central de Panamá (CIAPCP-AIP), Chitre, Panamá
2Museo de Invertebrados G.B. Fairchild, Universidad de Panamá, Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá
3Estación Científica Coiba (COIBA AIP), Clayton, Panamá
ISSN: 2318-1265
DOI: 10.31893/jabb.2025009
Accession Number: 185465436
Database: Veterinary Source
Description
Abstract:The Maya bee, Melipona beecheii, has been an integral part of Mayan culture on the Yucatan Peninsula for several centuries. In the present study, we explore the daily food-foraging behavior of M. beecheii during the year and compare its foraging behavior during summer and winter with the foraging behavior of honeybees during the same periods in the Yucatan Peninsula. Annual behavior showed a remarkable tendency toward pollen foraging during the early hours of the day, whereas nectar foraging peaked at midday. Factors such as season, resource, and hour significantly influence the daily activity of M. beecheii and A. mellifera. We detected noticeable differences in foraging behavior between summer and winter in both Maya bees and honeybees. Honeybees preferred foraging earlier pollen during winter and nectar during summer, whereas Maya bees preferred foraging pollen earlier during summer. Finally, we observed that both bee species made far more foraging trips during winter than in summer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:23181265
DOI:10.31893/jabb.2025009