Factors Effecting Foraging Behaviors of Stingless Bee, Trigona collina Smith. (Apidae, Meliponinae) in Mixed Deciduous Forests.

Abstract

Factors effecting foraging behaviors of Trigona collina in a mixed deciduous forest at
Phitsanulok Nature Education Center and Phuhinrongkla National Park were investigated in twelve
colonies during November 2003 and April 2004. The results showed that physical factors
(temperature, relative humidity and light intensity) effect the beginning time for foraging. Stingless
bees began to forage when the temperature was 18 ??C with 0-0.001 K.Lux of light intensity and 95%
relative humidity. Foragers??? activity was relatively high in a range of temperature from 30 ??C to
32 ??C and at 75% relative humidity. Number of foraging bees had the positive correlation with light
intensity in the range of 2-6 K.Lux and gradually decreased with the increasing of light intensity.
The foraging behavior was consistent during the sunrise period with the highest pollen loads
between 9.30 a.m. and 11.30 a.m.

Keywords: foraging behaviors, stingless bees, Trigona collina and physical/abiotic factors